Manchester City and Manchester United will face off in the Manchester Derby tonight, with both clubs desperate to secure a place in next season's Champions League. The two Manchester giants sit fourth and fifth respectively, with many people considering their seasons as underachievement and failures.
Nonetheless, one thing is for certain, and that is both sides possess an array of talented players with potential that knows no bounds. Enormous transfer fees have been spent by both sides to rope in some of the world's best attacking and defensive talents, but just what exactly would be deemed the best starting eleven from both squads?
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Each team has a number of weaknesses but an abundance of strengths, so it's time to piece together a combined Manchester XI made of players from the two teams. Do you agree with the selections made?
Goalkeeper
David de Gea – Manchester United
Spanish international David de Gea was the overwhelming choice for the goalkeeping position with both Claudio Bravo and Willy Caballero some distance off the Spaniard's world-class levels.
The United shot-stopper has claimed more than 96% of his crosses he's attempted to come for as opposed to Claudio Bravo's pitiful 86% with 46% of them resulting in him punching the ball instead of catching the ball.
De Gea has also kept 13 clean sheets in 31 games with Bravo claiming just 5 in 21 games - conceding on average more than a goal per game. De Gea overcomes Bravo having averaged more than two saves per game resulting in him being the unanimous choice in goal.
Defenders
RB: Antonio Valencia – Manchester United
When United entered the season with Matteo Darmian as their right-back, many feared for their defensive strength for the whole campaign.
Mourinho opted to play winger Antonio Valencia in the role, and the Ecuadorian international has thrived in the position. With both Bacary Sagna and Pablo Zabaleta drastically underperforming, Valencia is the outstanding candidate for the right-back position.
Staggeringly, Valencia makes on average four defensive interceptions per game while also adding an attacking threat having created 27 key passes leading to an opportunity on goal.
CB: Vincent Kompany – Manchester City
Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany has returned to the playing eleven in recent weeks and already instilled a confidence and security to this ageing and fragile backline.
Injuries have destroyed the Belgian leader over the past three years but since returning to the first-team, Kompany has guided City to three clean sheets in five games. Also, his form hasn't dipped and with the player averaging four defensive interceptions weekly, he remains head and shoulders above everyone else.
CB: Eric Bailly – Manchester United
The hardest decision was to choose a partner for Vincent Kompany in this side, but statistics don't lie and Eric Bailly's season guarantees him a spot in the eleven.
Little was known about the Ivorian when he signed for United last July, but his contribution has been sensational; meaning he edges Nicolas Otamendi and John Stones out of contention.
Bailly, unlike Stones' four mistakes, has not made a single error leading to a goalscoring opportunity all campaign. The player also averages a whopping nine defensive clearances per game. (Mourinho's system plays a major factor in that statistic).
LB: Aleksandar Kolarov – Manchester City
Much like Antonio Valencia, little was expected of Aleksandar Kolarov at the beginning of the season as predictions were made that his future lay elsewhere. Nonetheless, the Serbian defender has been an integral part of Guardiola's backline and remained the club's most consistent defender.
Kolarov averages a total of eight interceptions per game and his attacking nature hasn't decreased in quantity. He has still managed a stunning 11 key passes this campaign when his prominent position has seen him feature at centre-back. With Luke Shaw's lack of form, and Matteo Darmian being played out of position, Kolarov is the ideal candidate at left-back.
Midfielders
CM: Fernandinho – Manchester City
Both teams undeniably have outstanding issues with a holding midfield role, but Fernandinho is certainly the best-placed player for this spot in the team owing to a variety of reasons.
Unlike Paul Pogba, Ander Herrera, or Ilkay Gundogan, a number eight role suits their style much more than Fernandinho's whose relentlessness and tough tackling nature ensure City have something of a balance in midfield.
Fernandinho's poor discipline during the mid-season has caused his duel winning percentage to spiral down to 43% - a relatively weak statistic compared to his usual high standards.
CM: Paul Pogba – Manchester United
Much has been made of Paul Pogba's world-record move to Manchester United with many considering him a failure after ten months in English football. An argument could be made to state Pogba's influence has been limited, but the player has indeed had a solid season.
The France international has registered 55 chances for his team-mates, three of which have resulted in an assist. Defensively, Pogba is the ideal candidate for the number eight role with him winning 54% of the duels he's contested for. His passing accuracy of 85% could still do with some improvement if he’s to develop into that player everyone once admired.
CAM: Kevin De Bruyne – Manchester City
Kevin De Bruyne may not be having his strongest season in recent times, but that further highlights the Belgian international's credentials.
Nonetheless, De Bruyne has still mustered more chances for his side than any other player in the Premier League this season. In fact, De Bruyne's 85 chances is already an upgrade on last season's 79. The Belgian has also registered 17 assists in all competitions - making that 31 in just two seasons at City.
De Bruyne has still managed to score six goals across all competitions, and as mentioned, this is apparently his worst season in three years?
Attackers
RW: Leroy Sané – Manchester City
Raheem Sterling, Leroy Sané, Henrikh Mkhitaryan or Juan Mata? Unfortunately for ever other name mentioned, Sané must be placed in this combined team for his inherent world-class ability along with his output since obtaining his place in the City first-team.
Likened regularly to Gareth Bale, Sané has become a big game player for City this season as his displays against the top five since December have been sensational. Sané has managed to score 10 goals since December, being the focal point of City's attack.
The German has the potential to become far superior to any other player mentioned above.
LW: Anthony Martial – Manchester United
Just four goals for Anthony Martial has been somewhat disappointing considering his superb debut campaign under Louis van Gaal. However, one thing that cannot be denied is Martial has arguably more potential than any other forward player in this United side.
His first season at United saw him score a whopping 17 goals for his new club following a £58 million move from AS Monaco. This campaign, despite creating a chance per game, and providing five assists, Martial has played fewer minutes than any other United attacker in the first-team.
ST: Sergio Aguero – Manchester City
Staggeringly, there's a huge misconception surrounding Sergio Aguero this season as many consider the Argentine striker to be having a 'poor season'. Despite the forward missing seven games through suspension, facing a spell out of the team due to lack of form, he has still managed to score 27 goals in just 40 games.
In fact, Aguero has managed to score 12 goals in 12 games against City's biggest rivals this season, thus proving his status as a world class striker. On the other hand, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has scored 17 goals in 28 games, but Aguero's 17 in 26 is much more impressive.
The Argentine cannot be understated with the player also adding more to his game defensively than Ibrahimovic.
