Manchester United vs Manchester City - Combined XI | Premier League 2021-22

Right-back: Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Manchester United)

Wan-Bissaka is quietly having a good season, barring a few odd mistakes.

Manchester City's Kyle Walker has been a mainstay for club and country for quite a while now. So many would put him over Manchester United's Wan-Bissaka. But statistically speaking, the United man has been better.

While both have created one big chance apiece this season, Wan-Bissaka has laid more crosses (32-8) and passes (505-496) than Walker.

Defensively, too, Wan-Bissaka is convincingly above Walker. He has made more interceptions (14-4), recoveries (59-36), tackle-success rate (80%-33%) and twice as many clearances (12-6) than Walker.

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Centre-back: Ruben Dias (Manchester City)

The best centre-back in the world right now?

You don't need a reason to include him in a team like this, for Ruben Dias has been in a league of his own since joining Manchester City last year.

His leadership and defensive nous helped the side to another league double last season. Dias won the league's Player of the Year award for his excellent contributions.

Signed from Benfica for a hefty £65 million, Dias seemed overpriced at the start. But the Portuguese talisman has made a mockery of such perceptions with his stellar displays.

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Centre-back: Victor Lindelof (Manchester United)

The Swede must step up in the absence of Varane.

Harry Maguire has been a disaster lately. Raphael Varane is injured. and ruled out from the clash. Eric Bailly and John Stones have rarely played. Aymeric Laporte is suspended.

All of that leaves us with only Victor Lindelof, who hasn't covered himself in much glory either. Bt he has provided a calm and composed presence in an otherwise chaotic Manchester United backline.

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Left-back: Joao Cancelo (Manchester City)

Cancelo is one of the best left-backs in the Premier League.

He initially struggled to settle at City after joining in 2019. But Joao Cancelo has gradually blossomed into a reliable star for them, and has been one of their best performers in the ongoing 2021-22 season.

He has contributed six goals in the season already thus far. While most have come in the Champions League, it typifies his brilliant attacking form, which Manchester United must be wary of.