How Manchester City should lineup in their derby clash against Manchester United

Sergio Aguero scored the decisive goal to help City win the reverse fixture

Manchester City will look to recover from their wretched form of late when they travel to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United in the 169th Manchester derby on Sunday. Manuel Pellegrini’s men have been flopping as a team, and none of their crucial players – barring Joe Hart, maybe – have come up with an eye-catching performance since the beginning of this calendar year.

More devastatingly, the reigning English champions have won just 6 of their 16 games across all competitions since the beginning of 2015. Their away form has dwindled alarmingly since the beginning of March and the Citizens have lost their last 4 away games on the bounce.

Despite their recent poor form, City have won their last 4 derbies, scoring 10 goals and conceding just 2 during those victories. The Red Devils put in a good performance in the reverse fixture between these sides earlier in the season and were unfortunate to lose 0-1 at the Etihad Stadium. From City’s point of view: their form prior to the last derby in November, was also pretty underwhelming but Pellegrini’s side put in a display that was enough to register all three points.

The former Villareal and Malaga manager has come under intense, but fair, criticism for his team selections, with the Chilean favoring the 4-4-2 system that saw the English champions amass a whopping 156 goals across all competitions last season. However, what would be the ideal starting XI that could give Manchester City their best chance of winning their 5th successive derby?

Defence

Pellegrini, in his press conference on Friday, had said that Vincent Kompany was a doubt for this derby clash against United, and it remains to be seen whether the Belgium and City skipper will be fit to start. In case of Kompany missing out, Eliaquim Mangala, who has made an underwhelming start to his Manchester City career, will in all likelihood partner Martin Demichelis at the heart of that rearguard.

In the right and left full back positions, it will be interesting to see if the City manager makes changes from the team that lost to Crystal Palace on Monday night. Bacary Sagna and Gael Clichy - the two former Arsenal fullbacks – started against Palace and put in decent displays, though they failed to render anything substantial in an attacking sense. I would stick with Clichy, who played really well against United in November, but Pablo Zabaleta, who is Pellegrini’s first choice right-back, should return after only making the bench on Monday.

Midfield

The Chilean will be sensible to play a 5-man midfield that will not only make sure City are not outnumbered in midfield, but ensure that they enjoy a good percentage of possession. The likes of Michael Carrick, Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini have been in scintillating form, making the best use of possession while also rendering good defensive cover to the backline when the opposition have had the ball.

The visitors will have their task cut out against the aforementioned United trio who will not only play with a lot of flair when in possession, but work indefatigably to win the ball back when City have it.

Marouane Fellaini and Yaya Toure will be the key to the midfield battle

Yaya Toure will be crucial to City’s chances, and will play just ahead of either Fernandinho or Fernando, who did not feature for the Citizens against Palace on Monday. Pellegrini has chopped and changed way too much and hasn’t helped himself or his side’s cause with the constant changing of personnel, and, going into a game of this magnitude, I would stick with Fernandinho who complements Toure well and is a better passer than his compatriot Fernando.

Pellegrini has to factor in the threat Louis van Gaal’s men carry in the wider positions when he chooses his wingers for this derby date with Manchester United. The 61-year-old manager has to consider the threat of Ashley Young and Daley Blind on the hosts’ left-flank and go in with a wide man who will track back and help Zabaleta, who isn’t having one of his best seasons in a City shirt.

Jesus Navas has been failing miserably this season, but he should be persisted with for this clash against United, as the Spanish winger is fleet-footed and is the only out-and-out winger today’s visitors have at their disposal. On the opposite flank, James Milner or Samir Nasri – players who came from the bench in City’s defeat to Palace on Monday – should replace Edin Dzeko, who has scored just 6 goals in 32 appearances this season for the reigning English champions.

Nasri has fallen out of favour with Pellegrini after a string of poor displays and has started just one of his side’s last five games in all competitions. Milner, who played up front when City had all their strikers – Sergio Aguero, Dzeko and Stevan Jovetic – injured during the December-January period, could make for a good choice on the visitor’s left-flank, as the Englishman also has a good understanding with David Silva and works doggedly for the welfare of his team.

If Dzeko drops out of the starting XI, which should be the way to go, Silva will play behind the striker in the No.10 position that he usually thrives in.

Attack

Sergio Aguero should play as the solitary striker, with a number of creative players rendering him good service to break his goal-scoring drought that has seen the Argentine not score a goal in his last 6 appearances for the club. Playing against Manchester United, a team that has been on the receiving end of the City striker’s scathe at Old Trafford, especially, should bring the very best out of the 26-year old hitman.

The aforementioned starting XI will give the visitors the cutting edge over their illustrious derby rivals, who have won their last 5 Premier League games including dominant triumphs over Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool. City though, with their ability to put their best foot forward in these heavyweight clashes, will fancy their chances of defeating Manchester United yet again.