Ian Wright believes this week's Manchester derby should be deciding the Premier League title, and not a mere top-four finish.
Writing in his column for The Sun, the Arsenal legend believes Thursday's clash between Manchester City and Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium does not have as much importance surrounding it as it may have when perusing the Premier League fixtures prior to the season.
Wright also believes City boss Pep Guardiola has come in for some unfair criticism and should only be judged once he has another summer manipulating his squad to where he wants it.
Wright wrote: “Who could have predicted this when Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho arrived on different sides of Manchester to such a huge fanfare?
“Back in the summer, most people would have thought Thursday's derby clash at the Etihad would be to decide who would finish top of the Premier League and who would be runners-up.
“Instead, it looks like a shoot-out to see who finishes fourth, which is a reflection of how badly both have performed.
“With United recovering from a sticky start to string together a 23-match unbeaten run in the Prem, it is Guardiola who is inevitably copping most of the flak.
“With City getting knocked out of the FA Cup semi-finals — a result no one would have predicted given Arsenal's recent form — another defeat would make it seem like things are unravelling for Pep.
“I get the feeling there have been plenty of people who were hoping he would fall flat on his face in the Premier League and they are already starting to snigger away.
“But even though City have been guilty of being far too inconsistent, I wouldn't be in a mad rush to judge whether he has been a success or a failure just yet.
“Pep will know exactly where he has to strengthen in the next transfer window.
“So this time next year is the time to judge him, when he has had a full season with a team that is truly his own. In the meantime he can expect a bumpy ride because I fancy United on Thursday."
Wright added: “Having closed to within a point of City, United will know this is a game they cannot afford to lose.
“If the gap goes back to four points, with so few games left, it could mean the end of their top-four bid.
“So sorry Pep, I think things are only going to get worse before they get better."
