They might not be vying for the Premier League title but that doesn’t make Thursday night’s Manchester derby any less absorbing. The personnel may change but the enormity of the fixture does not.
With local bragging rights again at stake, we can be assured that both teams will be going hell for leather to ensure that the three points are in the bag, and with European aspirations still on the line for both Manchester United and Manchester City, this isn’t just another end of season ‘dead rubber.’
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Much has been made of United’s focus on qualifying for next season’s Champions League and the fact is if Jose Mourinho’s side can win by two clear goals, they’ll draw level with Liverpool in third on points and goal difference.
Pep Guardiola’s side know that a victory for them will put them in the box seat for automatic Champions League qualification – surely a pre-requisite at the start of the campaign.
City might fancy their chances playing at home, but here are five reasons why the Red Devils will demolish them:
#1 Jose has got more out of his squad than Pep
Love him or loathe him, one thing you can’t do with Jose Mourinho is ignore him. A master at playing to the crowd, he has the media regularly eating out of the palm of his hand.
However, where he really earns his stripes is in his expert man-management. Take the Luke Shaw situation for example. Unfair to hang the England international out to dry? Maybe. But it got the reaction required.
That’s what the Special One does. At every club he has been at, he has developed a siege mentality to the outside world and a ‘Pied Piper’ existence within the confines of Carrington.
Here’s where Pep has fallen down this season. Laud him for the wonderful way in which he wants to play the game, but this is a results business. Do you honestly think those in the corridors of power will be happy with a potential fourth or fifth placed finish?
Guardiola needs to bring in players that fit his style, and quickly, because Mourinho already has all of his players singing his tune.
#2 Marouane Fellaini’s resurgence
There was a time in the not too distant past when the mention of Marouane Fellaini’s name over the PA system would’ve seen a collective intake of breath and a groan from most of the Old Trafford faithful.
Now, the Belgian has become integral to United because he’s showing signs of the form which saw United buy him from Everton.
He was never a bad player per se, just one who was asked to play a variety of roles, none of which were necessarily in his earlier resume. Mourinho has utilised the big man to his fullest and he’s thriving again.
Ask any match-going United fan if they’d swap him on current form. You know the answer.
In the cut and thrust of a fiery Manchester derby, don’t bet against him being the match winner with his aerial ability at both ends of the pitch. Countryman Vincent Kompany will know he’s in for a battle, that’s for sure.
#3 An in-form Marcus Rashford
There were obvious reasons why Zlatan Ibrahimovic was signed by Mourinho at the start of the campaign and that particular transfer has served its purpose.
It’s clear that Marcus Rashford is the future for United, a player so far ahead of his years in a footballing sense, that it wouldn’t be wrong to suggest he is one of England’s finest.
Elite football has been littered with players who’ve burst onto the scene only to disappear, so in that sense, despite it going against the grain for many, introducing him gradually has probably been the right way to go about things.
Despite his young age, he is a match winner. No matter the game, nor what’s at stake, Rashford is already a thoroughbred. A cool head with a sniper-like accuracy, he’ll relish being the focal point of United’s attacking thrust.
Playing off of the shoulder of the last defender, and with pace to burn, there’s every reason to believe his name will be on the scoresheet at least once on Thursday night.
#4 The unbeaten run
Much has been made of the fact that a large number of United’s unbeaten games have been draws. No matter. They didn’t lose.
Going into the derby, the Red Devils are unbeaten in 23 Premier League games. That’s not an accident and such runs breed confidence. All the while Pep is still trying to shoehorn his players into a particular way of working, Mourinho has imprinted his style right across every game.
It’s not pretty at times but since when did that matter? If United finish above their neighbours at the end of the season, will anyone be bothered at how they achieved it?
Football is the beautiful game but sometimes winning ugly is required. If it means playing a less pleasing on the eye 90 minutes but not losing, so be it.
The fact remains that United have become incredibly hard to beat, much like Mourinho’s Chelsea, Inter and Real Madrid were. The pressure is all on City to deliver here, allowing United to express themselves much more able than their hosts.
#5 De Gea and Bravo
If rumours are to be believed, then this will be David de Gea’s last Manchester derby. Real Madrid have been trailing the keeper for what seems like an age and United are believed to have taken the view that they won’t stand in his way.
Though he’s not in the ‘shop window’ as such, the eyes of the football world will be on this game – and one of the world’s best custodians always rises to the challenge.
Which is more than what can be said for ‘Butterfingers’ Bravo. The Chilean has had a nightmare first season in the Premier League and Barcelona must be relieved that they gambled on Marc-Andre ter Stegen coming good when they sold Bravo at the beginning of the campaign.
When the heat is on, De Gea has shown time and again that he is the man for the big occasion. Bravo has always been in the limelight for completely different reasons.
There will be a handful of situations when either keeper will be called upon, who would you rather have in your corner?!
