Shearer: City lost it in the summer

And they will be reminded of that tonight when they travel to Old Trafford and take on the champions-elect.

Lining up against them will be the one who got away — United’s Robin van Persie — who has proved to be one of the big differences between the two neighbours in this campaign.

Meanwhile some of those City did sign, Jack Rodwell, Scott Sinclair and Maicon will be nowhere near the starting line-up again.

I feared from my own personal experience that Roberto Mancini and his title-winners had missed a trick when the transfer window shut last August. When you are in a position of strength, you have to make the most of it,according to the Sun.

That was their big chance to bring in a couple more of the world’s best players to really raise the bar. But, sadly for them, they did not take it.