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The Premier League is back in action with an exciting derby this weekend as Manchester United take on arch-rivals Manchester City in a crucial fixture. Both teams have not been at their best this season and have plenty of work to do ahead of this game.
Manchester United have improved in the Premier League over the past few weeks and have managed four consecutive victories in the league. The Red Devils suffered a shocking 3-2 defeat against RB Leipzig in the UEFA Champions League and have a massive point to prove going into this game.
Manchester City have enjoyed a flawless UEFA Champions League campaign so far but have been well below their best in the Premier League. Pep Guardiola's side started the season as contenders for the Premier League title and will now need to break into the top four before the end of the year.
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Manchester United and Manchester City share a heated rivalry
The rivalry between the two Manchester giants has become particularly intense over the past few years. Manchester City's rise as a bonafide Premier League giant has resulted in a discernible power shift in the city, and Manchester United will need to assert their dominance in this fixture.
Both teams have their fair share of strengths and weaknesses and will need to address the problems in their squads ahead of this game. Neither side has been defensively robust this season and will need to take it up a notch in this game.
Manchester City have enjoyed a slight upper hand over Manchester United in the recent past but suffered a 2-0 defeat to the Red Devils earlier this year. The two Premier League giants have excellent attacking players in their ranks and have a point to prove in this game.
On that note, here is the combined XI ahead of the crucial Premier League encounter at Old Trafford.
Goalkeeper - Ederson Moraes (Manchester City)
Ederson Moraes narrowly edges out Manchester United shot-stopper David de Gea to a spot in this combined eleven. The Brazilian goalkeeper has been a consistent presence in the Manchester City side and has been largely reliable for the Cityzens this year.
David de Gea is an outstanding goalkeeper in his own right but his suspect performances on the big stage are an expensive reminder of his flaws. Ederson might be less spectacular than his derby counterpart but is visibly less susceptible to costly errors.
The Brazilian shot-stopper has come into his own over the past few weeks after a shaky start to the season and will look to make his mark in the Manchester derby. Manchester City have a vulnerable defense and Ederson will have to step up to the plate to keep a clean sheet against a strong Manchester United attack.
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Left-Back - Joao Cancelo (Manchester City)
Manchester City have a well-documented problem in their defensive line and have failed to field two established full-backs over the past few years despite their much-discussed exploits in the transfer market. Joao Cancelo is well on his way to becoming an exception to the rule, and is likely to start against Manchester United this weekend.
With Benjamin Mendy's lack of form over the past few months, Cancelo has surged ahead in Manchester City's pecking order and has become a key part of Manchester City's set-up. The Portuguese star has been defensively robust and has created several chances in the final third for his side this season.
Cancelo is less error-prone than his French teammate and is set to start ahead of Mendy against Manchester United this weekend. Manchester City rely heavily on their full-backs in the final third and the former Juventus star may well be the answer to their creative problems on Saturday.
Centre-back - Harry Maguire (Manchester United)
Harry Maguire is a name that divides opinion across the world of football at the moment. The Manchester United captain has been far too inconsistent for his price tag but has shown that he can potentially redeem himself with a few standout performances.
The former Leicester City defender is yet to hit his peak at Manchester United and could view the game against Manchester City as the perfect opportunity to make a statement to the rest of the Premier League. Maguire has stepped up on occasions for the Red Devils and will want to put his best foot forward on Saturday.
The Englishman does have an abundance of talent and will have to keep his error-prone tendencies in check against Manchester City. Maguire has been a leader at Manchester United and has a point to prove going into this game.
Centre-back - Ruben Dias (Manchester City)
Manchester City are not particularly known for their defensive solidity and have suffered from their fair share of lapses over the past few seasons. Pep Guardiola's side has shown signs of rejuvenation, however, and have managed five consecutive clean sheets in all competitions.
Ruben Dias was brought in to the club in the summer transfer window and the Portuguese defender has been a reliable presence in Manchester City's back-line. Dias has started eight games in the Premier League and has been a key driver of Manchester City's resurgence.
The Portuguese center-back has formed a good relationship with both Aymeric Laporte and John Stones and is set to start against Manchester United this weekend.
Right-Back - Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Manchester United)
Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been one of Manchester United's best defenders over the past year. The right-back joined the Red Devils from Crystal Palace and has been a reliable presence in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's back-line.
Wan-Bissaka might not be an explosive force in the final third, but his ability to put in robust performances in his own half has made him of the Premier League's most promising prospects.
The English defender is known for his ability to win duels and is an excellent tackler in and around the penalty area. Manchester City have several talented forwards and Wan-Bissaka will have to be at his best against Pep Guardiola's side.
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Defensive Midfielder - Rodri (Manchester City)
Rodri has been a revelation for Manchester City over the past few months. The Spanish midfielder is one of the few players in the Premier League who can be trusted with a pivotal role in the midfield and will serve as the ideal foil against Manchester United this weekend.
Rodri has been compared to his compatriot Sergio Busquets by Pep Guardiola himself and is growing in stature at Manchester City. The midfielder often takes up a defensive role in the middle of the pitch and retrieves the ball for his side with striking regularity.
Pep Guardiola's tactical set-up necessitates an intelligent midfielder who can dictate the tempo of the game, and Rodri has emerged as his manager's trusted metronome for Manchester City. The Spaniard does have a few weaknesses in his game but has several years ahead of him in the Premier League.
Central Midfielder - Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
Kevin De Bruyne has established himself as one of the best midfielders in the world at the moment and is arguably one of the most impressive players in the Premier League. The Belgian star's unique ability to turn a game on its head makes him one of Manchester City's most dangerous players.
At his best, De Bruyne dominates the midfield and has a visible impact on every aspect of the game. The former Chelsea star's vision and strength make him virtually unplayable in his prime.
The Belgian midfielder is yet to hit his stride this season but has shown glimpses of his best self in recent weeks. De Bruyne has also racked up two goals and six assists in the Premier League and his ability to influence the game in the final third makes him his side's chief threat against Manchester United.
Attacking Midfielder - Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)
The transformative impact that Bruno Fernandes has had on Manchester United's fortunes since his arrival to the Premier League is arguably unrivaled in the modern era of English football. The Portuguese sensation has taken the league by storm and is one of the most productive players in England at the moment.
Manchester United have effectively built their team around Fernandes and rely on the creative midfielder to make things happen in the final third. Fernandes has already bagged seven goals and four assists in the Premier League this season and is becoming one of Manchester United's most important players.
The Portuguese star has the innate ability to break defensive lines with his movement, while his technical ability and intelligence give Manchester United a cutting edge. Fernandes can be decisive on his day and will have to be at his creative best against Manchester City this weekend.
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Left-wing - Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)
Raheem Sterling has grown into one of Manchester City's most important players over the years and has a point to prove against Manchester United. The English winger is often accused of putting in underwhelming performances in big games and will need to be at his best this weekend.
Sterling is yet to hit his peak this season and has scored only three Premier League goals over the past three months. Manchester City rely heavily on the talented winger in the final third and Sterling will view this game as an opportunity to make his mark on the season.
Manchester City have lacked their trademark cutting edge this season and it will be up to the likes of Sterling and Riyad Mahrez to improve their tallies by the end of the year. Sterling can be virtually unplayable on his day and has the perfect opportunity to impress Pep Guardiola this weekend.
Right-wing - Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City)
Like most other Manchester City players, Riyad Mahrez endured a slow start. However, he has put in a string of excellent performances in recent weeks and looks set to start the derby ahead of Ferran Torres and Bernardo Silva. The Algerian winger is known for his stunning ability on the flank and will likely play a pivotal role in this game.
Mahrez announced his presence in the Premier League this season with a stunning hat-trick against Burnley last month and is a force to be reckoned with on his day. The winger has tormented robust defensive lines in the past and his ability to stretch the pitch will be key to Manchester City's style of play against Manchester United.
The former Leicester City forward has worked his way into Pep Guardiola's plans over the past two years and is now an integral part of the team. Mahrez is capable of pure magic on the pitch and will look to summon his exquisite talents against Manchester United on Saturday.
Striker - Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)
Marcus Rashford might have become a torchbearer off the pitch for Manchester United, but the forward is still one of the Red Devils' most decisive players on the pitch. The English forward is versatile and can play on either flank as well as a central position.
Rashford is more effective on the flank but his ability to score crucial goals makes him a deadly center-forward. He is one of the most well-rounded forwards in the Premier League and will be his side's chief threat in the final third against Manchester City.
Manchester City do have their fair share of defensive weaknesses and Rashford will look to exploit them this weekend. The English superstar has stepped up to the plate on important occasions in the past and has a massive task on his hands for Manchester United this week.
