Pep Guardiola's Manchester City team travels to Old Trafford to take on Jose Mourinho and Manchester United.
With the eyes of the world set to turn to Manchester, England this Saturday, as Pep Guardiola's Manchester City team travels to Old Trafford to take on Jose Mourinho and Manchester United, there are many people that still know little about one of the best football cities in the world.
Jesse Lingard and Nicholas Otamendi jump for a ball in the Manchester Derby last season. (Getty Images) As it stands, very early in the season, the two teams are both 3-0-0 and primed for a run at the 2016-2017 EPL title. The contest Saturday (7:45 a.m. NBCSports) will be an early test for both squads, especially with Sergio Aguero banned for three matches (violent conduct charge in City's last match, against West Ham United.)
Yes, it is true that Manchester is home to seven of the last 10 English Premier League titles. But the town that was once known as an industrial powerhouse around the world has reinvented itself over the last decade, just as City has risen from a has-been to a global brand.
As someone that has spent almost 12 months in Manchester over the past five years, Manchester has some great spots, both in the city centre and around the outskirts. While the derby will be broken down Friday before the match, today, let's take a look at some of the places that make a visit to Manchester special.
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Top Sandwich Place; Rustica- The little shop on the corner of Tib and Hilton has the best sandwiches in Manchester. Jeanette , Lynne, Laura and the ladies whip up some fantastic creations for both breakfast and lunch.
Top Chippy: Tony's- The tiny shop by the Etihad has the best chips and curry in the city, as much as it pains me to say. Leo's Fish Bar, in the Northern Quarter, is a solid choice as well. By Old Trafford, you have your choice of numerous shops on Matt Busby Way, but Lou Macari's is always a good shout.
Best Record Shop; tie, Vinyl Revival and Piccadilly Records- Both of the Northern Quarter shops are awesome. Vinyl Revival two shops down from Rustica, and the stories you can hear from Colin White and his staff are worth popping in while you wait for your lunch.
Best Thrift Shop: Bags of Flavor- Rich Gill's shop on Tib Street has a great selection of Polo, Lacoste, and any other brand a casual fan (casual in the football sense) would need.
Best Thing to do in December (Other than Football): Manchester Christmas Market- Just like the German Markets that inspired it, the Manchester Christmas Market is a great night out on the town. It runs from November 10-December 21.
Best Smallest Bar in Europe-The Circus Tavern- Home of some of the best hospitality in Manchester, the Circus Tavern is home to the smallest bar in all of Europe. But Barry, and plenty of Reds that hang out there before and after United matches (including some ex-players), make this place a must visit for any traveler.
Best Place to Eat from Thursday-Saturday: Street Food Market at Piccadilly- The year-round market in Piccadilly sells fresh food from 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. starting Thursday's. There is food from all around the world, most of it made right in front of you.
Best Way to Get Around Town: Metrolink- Whether going to a City or United match, the metrolink is the way to get there. The bus system is very good as well, but with trains running to all parts of Greater Manchester, the yellow trams are the lifeblood of the city.
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Coinciding with the rise of Manchester United on the world football stage was the burgeoning music scene in Manchester.
Some of the top bands to grace alternative music have come from the Greater Manchester area: Buzzcocks, Chemical Brothers, Happy Mondays, Inspiral Carpets, New Order, Oasis, The Smiths and The Stone Roses (as this iconic video after Robin van Persie scored in injury time to lead Manchester United to a 3-2 win over City shows) to name a few.
But (in my opinion) the greatest of them all was a band led by a lad from Macclesfield named Ian Curtis. The band?
One of the early pioneers of the music scene in Manchester, Joy Division and Ian Curtis were responsible for some of the most seminal live concerts the world has ever seen. But tragically, Curtis, who suffered from debilitating epilepsy, killed himself on 18 May, 1980. In the aftermath, the remaining members formed New Order, which went on to achieve massive success.
One fan is trying to get Macclesfield to honor the late Curtis with a mural in his home town, but has struggled to get it done so far. But it has not stopped Tim Hartley from trying.
"Joy Division and Ian Curtis made such an impact on the Manchester music scene basically because they were so unique," Hartley said. "There had never been a band like them before, and although many have tried, no band has ever compared to them. Their sound, look and attitude summed up an era in time when everything was bleak and lacking in optimism.
The Mural will hopefully be in Macclesfield rather than Manchester. Manchester has a lot going for it already. Although I'd love to see something Ian or Joy Division related in any location, Macclesfield was Ian's home town, where he spent all of his far too short adult life. Macclesfield should be crying to honour the man who has had such an impact on his peers and countless true music fans."
Harltey has met with some opposition to the idea from the council, but is working hard every day to rectify the situation.
Tim Hartley at the grave of Ian Curtis, frontman of the band Joy Division. Sean Miller | For NJ Advance Media "Where it will be is still very up for discussion," Hartley said. "Ideas have included where his ashes are interred, near the town hall, so people in the centre of town will have a constant reminder of the great man. Also, his old house 77 Barton St., which still may one day become a museum to Ian and the band. I am currently trying to get a blue plaque erected on the property.
So here's hoping. The main point of all this is people travel from all over the globe to visit Macclesfield because of the effect Ian and Joy Division's music has had on them. At the very least, the council should have a lasting tribute to the man who has influenced so many."
People make Manchester worth the visit
Contact Sean Miller at seanmillertrentontimes@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @TheProdigalSean