Manchester City travel to Old Trafford on Tuesday night looking to keep pace with Premier League leaders Chelsea in the race for this season’s title, and this is the starting XI we expect Blues head coach Manuel Pellegrini to send out against the champions …
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GK: Joe Hart
The England No 1 has been in sparking form between the posts for City since returning to the side after being dropped earlier in the season, and the shot stopper will need to once again be on top form against the Red Devils on Tuesday night.
RB: Pablo Zabaleta
The experienced Argentina international will be required to provide as much width and attacking threat as is possible when the visitors have the ball at the Theatre of Dreams, as well as also produce his usual rock-solid form at the back too.
CB: Vincent Kompany
What a relief for Pellegrini to have his skipper and ice-cool central defender back at the heart of his defence for this tricky-looking trip to Old Trafford this week after the brilliant Belgium was sent-off at Hull City in the Blues’ previous league encounter.
CB: Martin Demichelis
The Argentinian has come in for some harsh criticism for his displays at the back in recent weeks, however, City boss Pellegrini is a huge fan of the player’s and he will once again go with the ex-Malaga, Bayern Munich and Atletico de Madrid defender against United.
LB: Aleksandar Kolarov
The Serbia international should get the nod over rival Gael Clichy for the left-back spot at the Theatre of Dreams, although City will hope that the attacking full back will influence proceedings at the other end of the pitch against United.
CM: Yaya Toure
After the Ivorian’s stunning hat-trick against Premier League strugglers Fulham at Eastlands on Saturday afternoon, the Red Devils will surely be more than a little concerned at just what the long-legged playmaker may produce next.
CM: Fernandinho
Such a key figure for Pellegrini’s side, with the Blues tending to play well when the Brazil international is on song, while the opposite is also invariably true too.
CM: James Milner
United away from home is a fixture ideally suited to the industrious and hard-working England international who as ever will be expected to cover ever blade of grass and help launch the visitors’ counterattacks too.
RW: David Silva
The twinkle-toed Spaniard has once again be one of City’s most effective and dangerous performers so far in this campaign and if the Blues are to leave Old Trafford with another famous win on Tuesday night, then the wide man will need to be on top of his game.
ST: Alvaro Negredo
A lot now rests on the broad shoulders on the Beast following the withdrawal of City’s top scorer in the Premier League this season Sergio Aguero, although if anyone is capable of taking on that responsibility, then that man is the prolific Spanish attacker.
LW: Samir Nasri
The hugely skilful France international has been in eye-catching form ever since returning from injury of late, and you can be sure that the tricky winger will pose the home back four a number of questions cutting in from the left flank on Tuesday night.