A combined lineup of the best players from both sides of Manchester.
While both clubs go into the first Manchester Derby of the season with new managers taking charge, there are also some new faces on the pitch, with City in particular spending big on new signings this summer, in an attempt to topple their local rivals at the top of the Premier League table. As ever, there will be plenty of top talent on show when these two sides meet at the Etihad Stadium this weekend, and here is a starting XI of the best the two teams have to offer.
Defence
David de Gea – Although Joe Hart has been one of the best goalkeepers in the country and perhaps the world over the last couple of years, there are some worrying signs for City that his form is dropping, and he has simply made too many mistakes in recent games to justify a spot ahead of David de Gea, who has improved a great deal since first arriving in England. The Spaniard is capable of some great reflex saves and is now a calming presence at the back for United, and looks set to fulfill the tremendous potential that Sir Alex Ferguson saw in him when he signed him for £17.8m.
Pablo Zabaleta – It’s a very close call between Zabaleta and United’s Rafael for the right-back slot, but the Argentine just edges it, as a more experienced and finely-tuned defender. Both are great talents going forward and probably make up the top two in the Premier League in that position, so it’s hard to leave either of them out of this lineup.
Vincent Kompany – A great defender, great captain and great role model, Vincent Kompany is an easy choice for this Manchester XI. The Belgian was a crucial part of City’s title triumph in 2011/12, and they badly missed him as he sat out parts of last season through injury. He has also struggled for fitness at the start of this campaign but could be back in time for this crucial match. The 27-year-old also scored a famous winner in this fixture two seasons ago to really rattle United as their end-of-season collapse saw City come back and win the league in thrilling fashion.
Rio Ferdinand – One of the best centre-backs seen in this country for a long time, Rio Ferdinand is still going strong for Manchester United as he approaches his 35th birthday. He just edges the excellent Nemanja Vidic for a place in this side as he boasts the superior fitness record of recent times, which has meant his defensive partner has not quite reached the heights of a few years ago.
Patrice Evra – Although Evra is perhaps past his best, he arguably remains a more accomplished player than Gael Clichy, who offers little going forward and is prone to silly errors at the back. Aleksandar Kolarov is also a decent player but a little inconsistent, and seemingly behind Clichy in the pecking order these days anyway. On his day, Evra is still a key player for United and a proven winner, with the potential still to be more influential than either of City’s players in this position.
Midfield
Marouane Fellaini – A new arrival to the Manchester derby, Marouane Fellaini instantly looks like commanding a place among the best players of both teams. The powerful Belgian had a great season for Everton last year, which actually included a goal against City at the Etihad, and he is already an important player for his new club after David Moyes worked all summer to take him with him from Goodison Park to Old Trafford.
Yaya Toure – In what actually looks like a dream midfield partnership, Fellaini is joined by Yaya Toure in the middle of the park. The Ivorian has started the season in superb form as he continues to establish himself as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League. The 30-year-old has three goals in five games, all of them things of beauty from long range. Toure is the very definition of a match-winner, and would be one of the first names on the team sheet for both City and this combined Manchester XI.
Jesus Navas – Another Manchester Derby debutant, Jesus Navas looks the best option on the right-wing slot, with some inconsistent form from the likes of United pair Nani and Antonio Valencia of late, though both are also fine wingers on their day. Navas was noted for not scoring a single goal last season, but his trickery and pace on the flanks made him a dangerous player for City who is more than capable of providing great ammunition for their front-line.
David Silva – In a City-dominated midfield, David Silva takes up a slot on the left. The Spaniard has looked a little jaded for the last few months and failed to reach his best form, but on his day there are few better players in the world at what he does. Silva has great technique and vision, making him a highly influential playmaker for club and country, and although he is not strictly a player who would stay wide on the left, he is unquestionably a better option than United’s Ashley Young or his City team-mate Samir Nasri.
Attack
Sergio Aguero – It is a pretty tricky call even to pick two strikers to start for Manchester City these days, with Edin Zeko, Stevan Jovetic and Alvaro Negredo all looking like great options for Manuel Pellegrini, but Sergio Aguero is still one of the best in the Premier League. The Argentine had a superb first season in England when he scored 23 league goals, one of which fired his side to the title in the final seconds of the season, and although injuries meant he failed to quite find the same form last year, his natural finishing ability from a variety of angles and distances make him one of the most complete strikers in the game, and a must-have upfront in this Manchester XI.
Robin van Persie – With Wayne Rooney coming back into form, it’s not easy to leave him out, but Robin van Persie’s contribution to Manchester United since controversially signing from Arsenal has been immense, and means he has to keep his place upfront in this team. The Dutchman is capable of amazing things on the football pitch and has been the Premier League’s top scorer now for two seasons in a row, scoring many delightful efforts along the way. The 30-year-old struck the winner in last season’s game at the Etihad, which proved a crucial early result in determining which way the title will go, so he will be hoping to manage the same again this weekend.
