3 factors that will influence the outcome of the Manchester Derby

The two Manchester clubs will go head-to-head in a potentially decisive clash for both teamsThe Manchester derby is just around the corner, and fans throughout the World, as well as neutral football lovers, must be smacking their lips in anticipation of yet another classic clash between the two giants of Manchester. Pundits and fans have been analysing and making predictions already, with the common opinion being that both teams are evenly balanced. With both the clubs separated by a single point, the gravity of this match result will play on both the teams’ approach to the game. There seems to be no room for error.Here are 3 important points, which are likely to determine the winner on 12th April.

#1 Manchester United\'s recent form

Manchester United’s Juan Mata has been in tremendous form recently

It might have taken Louis Van Gaal the best part of this season to find his preferred team, but when he finally found a combination that clicked, the results, were both instantaneous and gratifying. Five consecutive EPL wins, which included two important wins, at home and away, to Tottenham and Liverpool, has brought back the smiles on the faces of the Old Trafford faithful.

Unlike earlier in the season, when the results were not quite an accurate reflection of their performances, the wins against Liverpool and Tottenham seemed thoroughly well deserved. Most marked among them, perhaps was the Tottenham match. Spurs, who were apparently the team in form, didn’t hold a candle to United’s onslaught. The high-intensity passing, and pinpoint crosses resulted in a 3-0 halftime lead for United.

Similarly at Anfield, Liverpool, who hadn’t lost a match in 2015, suffered the same fate, only to a lesser extent.The Red Devils ran out 2-1 winners, claiming their first victory at Anfield since 2009. The only question mark about United’s performance at Anfield was that, they had actually seemed to lose momentum while playing against 10 men.

While some of the pre-international break drive was visibly missing in their match against Villa, United still ran out comfortable 3-1 winners, only a soft Christian Benteke goal putting a blemish on an otherwise assured performance from United’s defense.

While Manchester City have struggled in the last few weeks, losing to Liverpool and Burnley and most recently to Crystal Palace, United have been quietly developing the sort of momentum which has given them an 8-point cushion over fifth-placed Liverpool and raised them above the reigning champions by a point. If United can produce a performance anywhere near the ones they produced at Anfield and at Old Trafford against Tottenham, the “noisy neighbours” are likely to have their hands full.

#2 City\'s recent results against United

Aguero’s goal was the decisive one the last time the two teams met

For a number of seasons now, starting with the 6-1 drubbing in 2011, City have been the better team in the Manchester Derby. Barring a Robin Van Persie inspired 3-2 win in the 2012 season, City have beaten United comfortably. In fact, the current champions have won six of the last seven Manchester Derbies, a fact that will not be lost on Louis Van Gaal and his players. Last season’s results are a perfect reflection of that fact. City won 4-1 at home, before drubbing United 3-0 in front of their own fans at Od Trafford.

Manuel Pelligrini added another “W” to his record earlier this season, when City notched yet another win against their bitter rivals, albeit after seeing off fierce pressure from a United team down to 10 men, who probably were the better team on the day. But results speak, and they will surely make the Citizens remind their opposite numbers gleefully, that the noisy neighbours now are the ones who run Manchester.

While the situation has changed, with United in fine form and City stuttering, yet City will go to Old Trafford having a mental advantage, knowing that they can, and they have, regularly defeated United. The blue half of Manchester has been on the rise, and recent history favours them strongly to come out on top against their rivals yet again.

#3 The rise of United\'s midfield

Herrera has been among the top performers for Manchester United

Throughout the season, Van Gaal had struggled to accommodate his best players in the first team, a result of the team being “unbalanced” according to the former Netherlands coach. And the selection dilemma has been greatest in the midfield area, with Van Gaal given a seemingly impossible task of accommodating Ashley Young, Angel Di Maria, Juan Mata, Marouane Fellaini, Ander Herrera, Michael Carrick and Daley Blind.

As a result, United have lacked a stable midfield, which resulted in both defensive problems and lack of supply to the strikers. But all that has changed. Ever since Van Gaal decided to put forward two wingers to provide supply, there has been a change in United’s style of play. They have looked sharper, more efficient in possession, and have created more chances.

The player who has benefited most has been Ander Herrera. The former Athletico Bilbao midfielder had an inconsistent first half of the season, missing a number of matches due to injury and rotation. However ever since coming back to the first team fold, his performances have been exemplary. And his stats indicate the same – Herrera has produced 5 goals and 4 assists in a United shirt this season, and has a further 2 goals in the FA Cup, which takes his season tally to 7 goals from just 15 starts. His brace against Aston Villa, the first of his career, just goes to show how much he has developed at Old Trafford.

Two other players who have rediscovered their form this season are Marouane Fellaini and Ashley Young. While the latter arguably never reached the potential for which he was bought by Sir Alex Ferguson from Aston Villa in 2011, the former had been the symbol United’s failure last season under David Moyes. But both have now rejuvenated their careers, and turned into integral parts of the United team.

The same transformation has been apparent in case of Fellaini. So much so that Van Gaal went on to say before the Villa match that he “can’t drop Fellaini”. The big Belgian provides the much-needed strength in United’s midfield. His height provides a suitable target for both De Gea and wingers to aim at, and he makes an absolute nuisance of himself during every set piece at the back post. His 5 goals this season compared to none that he had last season is an apt reflection of his transformation.

This Sunday, all three of them, along with the in-form Juan Mata, will be an integral part of United’s plan to inflict a first defeat on City since 2012.