When was the last time it was this close between Manchester United and Manchester City after seven Premier League games?
The 2011/12 season. You know. Aguerooooooo. The one where the Argentine scored the winning goal against Queens Park Rangers in stoppage time to hand City their first title in 44 years.
Well after seven games, the 2017/18 has unfolded in near enough the exact same manner. Take a look:
2017/18 P W D L F A GD PTS
Man City 7 6 1 0 22 2 19 19
Man Utd 7 6 1 0 21 2 18 19
2011/12 P W D L F A GD PTS
Man Utd 7 6 1 0 24 5 19 19
Man City 7 6 1 0 23 5 18 19
The two rivals have begun this season in stunning fashion, brushing aside teams with consummate ease, just like in 2011/2012. But what else is comparable to that season? And could it happen again?
In the 2011/12 season, United were lead by Wayne Rooney's 27 Premier League goals, his best return in his 13-years at the club.
So far, Jose Mourinho's side have themselves been on fire in front of goal, lead by new signing, Romelu Lukaku. The 24-year-old last weekend equaled Andy Cole's record of scoring seven goals from his first seven Premier League games for the Red Devils. There is a chance he could emulate Rooney, who had 9 goals at this stage of the 2011/12 season.
For City, Sergio Aguero bagged 23 goals in what was his debut season in Manchester. He was helped by Edin Dzeko and Mario Balotelli, who both scored 14 and 13 goals. Similarly, Aguero has got off to a flyer with six goals in six Premier League appearances in the current campaign, with Raheem Sterling (5) and Gabriel Jesus (4) not far behind him.
The 2011/12 season was also highlighted by two significant league meetings between the two clubs. The first was a humiliating loss for United - 6-1 at Old Trafford - which cemented City as a genuine title contender. The second, dubbed 'the biggest Manchester derby ever', was ultimately the game where United threw it all away.
Alex Ferguson's side, sitting first and three points in front of City, lost to their bitter rivals at the Etihad, courtesy of a Vincent Kompany header on the stroke of halftime. The Sky Blues would eventually go on to win the title on goal difference.
Two meetings between the two clubs are still be played this season - on December 9 and April 7. If both sides remain this close on the table, we could be fortunate enough to twice witness 'the biggest Manchester derby ever'.
