Match Preview: Battle of Manchester – Part 2: Dissecting the defensive units

After focusing on the two managers ahead of the big Manchester derby this weekend, let us now analyse the defensive strengths and weaknesses of the two sides.

Testing the goalkeeping mettle

When we’re billing a clash of two best Premier League attacks this Sunday, it’s rather impossible keep the goalkeepers away from the action. For a change, we have not two, but three goalkeepers to compare and evaluate ahead of the big game, mostly due to the indecisive bit of rotation in the United camp.

Joe hart is all set to guard the City goal on Sunday, yet we may well have to wait until that very day to know who’d be his opposite number. Sir Alex has another weekend where he will have to decide between Anders Lindegaard and David De Gea.

In a modern goalkeeper, every side looks for a leader that could control his defence and Joe Hart has been all that and more for this City side. He has represented the steel that Mancini built upon to claim their first league title in 44 years and will be again put to a stern test in the form of the most prolific attacking lineup in the league this season. By his high standards, Hart hasn’t enjoyed the best of starts to the season as his positioning and shot-stopping have come under a lot criticism of late, yet the Englishman has enough experience to back himself in tougher situations like these.

On the other side of Manchester, things are a bit dicey when it comes to choosing the right guy with the gloves. We have a precocious young talent in David De Gea who has had some vulnerable moments in the United shirt, yet has at times won the games single-handedly for the United side. His shot-stopping could arguably be rated as one of the best in the league, yet it’s the inconsistency of the Spaniard which keeps Sir Alex fiddling with his options. The Scot has another handy alternative in Anders Lindegaard who has been doing his job in a more satisfying manner than his competitor, but even he hasn’t reflected enough confidence to make the spot his own.

Comparing these ‘keepers statistically reveal some intriguing facts about their recent performances.

It is visible that David De Gea has been the busiest of the lot with a save to make every 70 minutes. Moreover, with all the criticism about the aerial aspects of the Spaniard’s ‘keeping, it is rather startling to see him making a point with 9 punched clearances in the 7 games he has played this season. Anders Lindegaard has done enough to keep himself in contention for the derby game, as his ability to handle aerial battles are well documented in his statistic column.

Hart on the other hand, has had the luxury of a more disciplined defensive lineup in front of him. Despite a couple of goal-keeping errors, the Englishman has had an easier run in the City goal and would expect more of the same this Sunday.

Overall, there isn’t much to choose between the three custodians from Manchester and it may come down to who could hold on to his nerves when it matters.

Defensive matchup

At this stage of the season, the defensive matchup isn’t up to the scratch as the City side have been far more organized than the current league leaders from the other half of Manchester.

Mancini has always stressed on the importance of a stable defensive unit which has seen the side build an unbeaten run so far in the league. Led by an imposing skipper Vincent Kompany, City so far, have kept almost all the Premier league attacks in control. The Italian manager’s newest inclusion Matija Nastasic has been a revelation at the back, providing tough times for an established player like Joleon Lescott, who has spent most of the time on the bench. Also, Maicon’s reunion with his then Inter manager has been fruitful for the league champions, as City’s strength at the back is almost incomparable with any other side in the division. In a season where every side has looked to attack the opposition right from the kick-off, clinching 6 clean sheets in 15 games is a massive achievement for the side. The defensive steel would definitely be facing its biggest challenge this weekend against strikers like van Persie, Rooney and Hernandez, and Mancini will make sure his lads are up to the task with their usual intensity.

While one side of Manchester has a rock-solid foundation at the back to go gaga about, the scenes of the past few months have been of complete contrast at Old Trafford. Having already conceded 21 goals in the league, which in any other season, would be close to a figure resembling the complete season for United, it’s fair to say that the side has lost its much revered defensive steel. When the side conceded 3 goals in less than 30 minutes against a lowly Reading side, Sir Alex was seen fuming at the touchline, shocked to have witnessed such a lethargic performance at the back. And it’s not about quick-fire changes that would bring the much needed decorum back, but positional sense and maturity which should do the trick. The only bright prospect for United has been the resurgence of Rafael and it’s highlighted further, being a part of a below par back four. For this game, even with the return of Smalling and Jones, one would expect Sir Alex to be more pragmatic and keeping faith in Evans and Ferdinand to handle the central defensive unit. Ferdinand’s role could be a key to his future in the side and lot would depend on is ability to marshal his defensive resources against the might of City’s wide range of attacking threats.

The statistical comparison highlights United defence being caught off-guard way more often than City, which is solely down to poor marking duties from the full backs. Yet, when we take a look at the number of defensive errors for both the sides, there isn’t much to choose from, which is surprising considering City’s efficient defensive displays this season. Probably, it’s also about the aura that surrounds the City defence that helps them counter several attacking bouts and United will need to work very hard to discard the sloppiness of their performances.