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The match that everybody’s been waiting for is just hours away. Over the years this match has developed into more than just a derby. That day, when City ran through United beating the Red Devils 6-1 was a night no one will ever forget. As fate would have it, United had the title stolen away by Aguero in the final match with seconds remaining.
Since that day, there has always been an extra build-up to this match, the pressure on the players is enormous, the desire to win has become more than ever. Maradona claimed that he would prefer watching the Manchester Derby over the El Clasico. That is an honour in itself.
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While last season, though United won the title, both the clubs shared the spoils in the two meetings. The first one was something that United fans would never forget. That was the day Robin Van Persie almost made it to the Elite class of players to have worn the prestigious red shirt when he curled it past in the final minutes over ‘two and half man wall ‘ as Mancini called it. In the return fixture, however, United lost 2-1 courtesy of some individual brilliance from Sergio Aguero.
But last season, there were two entirely different men at the helm of the clubs. One of them was sacked and the other retired after 27 years at the rudder of Old Trafford. Sheikh Mansour bought Manuel ‘the engineer’ Pellegrini, who had performed wonders with Malaga to replace Roberto Mancini.
But in the other half of Manchester, one Scotsman was replaced by another. David Moyes, who had for 11 years managed Everton in the Premier League, also managed to catch the eye of the Glazers. And for the first time, both these men will face off each other in one of the most watched matches around the world. Let’s take a look at the potential starting line ups:
Manchester City aim for a win
City had a busy transfer market as their new manager had his way and brought in quality players. However, they haven’t really shone this season as a unit till now. Starting from the back, it is a guaranteed spot for Joe Hart in front of the goal even though he has been contributing to blooper videos for the past few months.
The defense is strengthened by the return of their captain Vincent Kompany. Against Stoke, they just looked listless without their captain. His leadership skills and his defensive organization will be back in this match. Alongside him, you can expect Nastasic to start ahead of Joleon Lescott. The Serbian has been preferred to the former Evertonian ever since he arrived at the Etihad.
Pablo Zabaleta at right back would probably be the first name on the team sheet. He has been brilliant for the past two seasons and has been City’s most consistent player. Rarely does he make a mistake in defense and rarely does he get caught suspect on the break. On the other end, Kolarov should get the nod ahead of Gael Clichy. Pellegrini seems to prefer Kolarov.
Coming to the midfield, this is where the match is likely to be decided. Manchester City’s midfield is a tough and physical one with players capable of driving through the opposition. Yaya Toure selects himself and Fernandinho should make it alongside him.
While Fernandinho will have the task of stopping the on-form Wayne Rooney, Toure is most likely to be given a free role with little defensive duties. That should set the pace for the Citizens. Added to that, Yaya Toure has always performed well in the derby. He is the man to watch out for in City’s set up.
Manchester City usually play an attacking four with two strikers, one of whom would surely be Sergio Aguero. Edin Dezko should make the XI ahead of Negredo given his experience of playing in the derby. Added to that, he has a good record against Manchester United.
The third spot is for David Silva, another player who guarantees a spot for himself in the team. He is the brain of this team and the creative outlet. If they are going to break United’s defense, he would be the man behind it. The fourth spot in attack is where the problem arises for Pellegrini.
He has to choose between James Milner and the newly-signed Jesus Navas. But Navas should make the cut ahead of Milner. Though he has not made a notable impact, playing Navas on the right side is an advantage when you see that Evra is up against him. Evra is questionably United’s weakest link in the defense and having a pacy right winger against him would only cause problems.
City should line up in a not-so-traditional 4-2-3-1 with Sergio Aguero playing behind Dzeko, who would start as the target man.
Manchester City line-up: Joe Hart; Pablo Zabaleta, Vincent Kompany, Matija Nastasic, Aleksander Kolarov; Yaya Toure, Fernandinho; David Silva, Kun Aguero, Jesus Navas; Edin Dzeko
Subs: Costel Pantilimon, Micah Richards, Joleon Lescott, James Milner, Jack Rodwell, Alvaro Negredo, Stevan Jovetic
Manchester United
Manchester United look to draw first blood
Contrary to City, United had a quiet summer with the only major deal being a Marouane Fellaini signing for £27.5 million hours before the deadline. But that signing may turn out to be one of the best ever made by Manchester United.
Starting from the back, the goalkeeping spot is assured for David de Gea, who is yet to make his mark this season.
The defense is where Moyes must play his money. Rio Ferdinand has played every game this season and starting five days ago against Bayer Leverkusen doesn’t help his cause. He looked terribly off-colour in the Champions League and both the goals that United conceded were a result of his mistake.
Now that Smalling has returned from injury and played very well in the Champions League, he should replace Ferdinand in the line-up. Alongside him, Nemanja Vidic is sure to start. He has looked extremely comfortable this season and has almost regained his old form. The captain would be up against Dzeko and Aguero and must make sure he doesn’t lose out.
At right-back, since Rafael and Jones are injured, it would be a battle between Fabio and Valencia. Valencia should get the nod for his defensive stability over Fabio. At left back, Evra is assured of a berth and looks like he is back on track this season.
Coming to the midfield, Carrick selects himself and is probably the first name on the team sheet. His contribution is now being recognized and he should be able to continue it. He will be the man to carry United in the game. He should be the orchestrator in the middle of midfield.
Alongside him, Maraoune Fellaini is likely to start ahead of Tom Cleverly. As good a player Cleverly is, Fellaini’s defensive abilities and the capability to impose himself in the game elevate him. He will be the man to combat Yaya Toure. As he showed in the Champions League, he is capable of playing the midfield enforcer by sitting deep behind in front of the defense. That is where Yaya Toure operates and Fellaini should match him for United to have a say in the game.
Next up, the wingers, that’s a tough choice. Even though Manchester United have Wayne Rooney playing the No.10 role, they need a proper Trequartista to unlock the opposition defense and to match David Silva. This must get Kagawa into the starting XI playing on the left wing. Earlier in the week, he did play well from the left wing against Bayer Leverkusen.
After being rested for the last match, Danny Welbeck should make the right wing against City. He is someone who has a high work-rate and would track back to mark David Silva. He also is capable of taking on his man and beating him. Doing that against Kolarov, probably City’s weakest link in defense, should only make it easy for Welbeck.
The attack is, unquestionably, the duo of Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie. Wayne should start from the hole with Robin van Persie at the tip of the triangle. Wayne Rooney has become better ever since the Chelsea game and has scored three goals in his last two games. He is full of confidence and City should have a tough time dealing with him. And Robin Van Persie, there is no need for one to say anything. The very name itself sparks fear in the minds of opponent. And City would never forget him after that free-kick, would they?
More or less the same, United too would be expected to line up in 4-2-3-1.
Manchester United line-up: David de Gea; Antonio Valencia, Chris Smalling, Nemanja Vidic, Patrice Evra; Michael Carrick, Maraoune Fellaini; Shinji Kagawa, Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck; Robin van Persie
Subs: Anders Lindegaard, Rio Ferdinand, Johnny Evans, Tom Cleverly, Ashley Young, Javier Hernandez, Anderson
Gear up, you are going to watch one of the most exciting matches in the world of football.
