Once upon a time, there was a derby...

As people get older, they get more and more nostalgic. They usually think that things were better in the past, "that the grass was greener," while they, in fact, yearn for their youth. However, sometimes nostalgia is a perfectly appropriate feeling, like in the case of the derby between Man United and Arsenal.

At the beginning of the century, the duels between the Red Devils and the Gunners usually decided the champion. Two decades later, the title isn't on the horizon for either of them. And while Arsenal have at least been in the mix in the past few years, United seem to experience a never-ending free fall.

The atmosphere at Old Trafford has long been abysmal. The financial has never been so harsh, while the results have been terrible. The change of a manager, as a last resort, brought nothing. Moreover, the team's performances are even worse under Ruben Amorim than those under Erik ten Hag.

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Speaking in the press conference ahead of today's match (19.30), the Portuguese uttered a sad truth, as if he was envious of the Arsenal boss.

"I will not have the time that Arteta has. I feel that. It's a different club, so we just need to survive, the players on Sunday and me during these games. I think it's a different club. I think in that aspect, the way Arteta dealt with that, is an inspiration for everybody. I will not have the time like Arteta had," stated Amorim.

And when the manager says something like this, you can be sure that the players are even more depressed and gloomy. So, what can one expect from such team?

On the other hand, the Gunners got a reinforcement. Not on the pitch where it's essential - as they wasted the latest transfer window - and not for this season - as the title is already lost, despite what Mikel Arteta said - but for the next.

Namely, the Gunners have found a sporting director, given that the position has been vacant since Edu Gaspar moved to Nottingham Forest last November. According to The Athletic, Andrea Berta, who spent the previous 12 years at Atletico Madrid, will join the Emirates crew and try to bring back the club's glorious days.

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In the end, although this derby won't decide the champion and even though nothing's at stake in terms of result, one thing is still important - pride. That's why we can only hope that both rivals will put in performances worthy of this epic game's tradition. If they do so, fans will undoubtedly enjoy and remember the old - and happier if you are nostalgic - times.

PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 28

Saturday

Nott. Forest - Man. City 1-0 (0-0)

/Hudson-Odoi 83/

Brighton - Fulham 2-1 (1-1)

/Van Hecke 41, Pedro 90+8 - Jimenez 35/

Crystal Palace - Ipswich 1-0 (0-0)

/Sarr 82/

Liverpool - Southampton 3-1 (0-1)

/Nunez 51, Salah 54 pen, 88 pen - Smallbone 45+1/

Brentford - Aston Villa 0-1 (0-0)

/Watkins 49/

Wolverhampton - Everton 1-1 (1-1)

/Munetsi 40 - Harrison 33/

Sunday

17:00: (1.22) Chelsea (7.75) Leicester (13.0)

17:00: (2.65) Tottenham (3.85) Bournemouth (2.55)

19:30: (5.10) Man.Utd. (3.60) Arsenal (1.80)

Monday

23:00: (3.25) West Ham (3.50) Newcastle (2.30)

***odds are subject to change***