5 reasons why Manchester United will thrash Manchester City

2) United's counter-attacking ability

Lingard has been the most effective United player in recent games!

Sudden high pressing and quick counter-attacking ability have paid dividends for Manchester United this season. Many times this season, Manchester United have pressed their opponents to get quick counter-attacking goals.

Manchester United have a different style of pressing than that of Liverpool or Manchester City. The difference between United's pressing and Liverpool's pressing, is that United do not high press for most parts of the game, but rather, they press selectively, whenever they see a poaching opportunity.

And also, pressing is left to only one or two players and not the whole attacking unit.

Lingard was previously used as a 'Dummy Runner' by Mourinho in his first season, but in this season he might have found the real strength of Lingard's game. Ashley Young, too, perfectly fits into this counter-attacking style of play as covers the left flank when the winger cuts inside for a run.