2. The Failure To Sign Robin Van Persie
In January, Roberto Mancini
identified the club's failure to sign striker Robin van Persie in the summer as a factor that could cost them the Premier League title this season, and it looks like he will be proven correct in that assertion. The Dutch maestro looks like the signing of the decade at present at Old Trafford, and the former Arsenal ace has banged in 23 goals in 31 appearances for the Red Devils to fire Sir Alex Ferguson's men straight to the Premier League summit. He was on hand to help dispatch of Everton on Sunday, too, first by turning provider to tee up Ryan Giggs before adding one himself after rounding goalkeeper Tim Howard to fire into an empty net. I have already talked about City's lack of firepower up front, and the fact that RVP is scoring for fun over the road in the Red of United will only serve as a lingering afterthought for Mancini as to what might have been this season had he acquired his signature instead.