Who would be in your ultimate Manchester XI…
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Both Manchester City and Manchester United have already been busy in the transfer market this summer. Both teams have acquired some world-class talent, and both will be hopeful of improving this year – with City aiming to progress further in Europe, and United expecting to make a swift return to continental competition.
So Caught Offside has decided to pit the two rivals against each other, with each position going head-to-head to determine which has the better starting XI.
Goalkeeper
Joe Hart: Endured difficult spells last season, despite Manchester City’s title win, and is no longer an automatic choice for his club. Still a very good goalkeeper, but needs to get back to his best – 7/10.
David de Gea: Has improved every year since arriving at Old Trafford, and has now developed into one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League. He could become the Spanish number one in the next year, and he would also get the nod in a Manchester XI – 8/10.
Right Back
Bacary Sagna: City’s new signing adds to their wealth of talent at full-back, and Sagna will have to battle past the very impressive Pablo Zabaleta just to earn his spot in the team. Unfortunately for United, both men would probably make a Manchester XI before a United player – 8/10.
Rafael: That is nothing against Rafael, who is still a talented defender, and has impressed for his club over the years. But coming off the back of an ordinary year last year, he will have his hands full impressing his new manager, Louis van Gaal – 6/10.
Left Back
Gael Clichy: Another full-back who is not an automatic choice at City, the Frenchman will have Aleksandar Kolarov to keep him on his toes once again next season – 6/10.
Luke Shaw: Perhaps the best young full-back in the world, the potential of this 19-year-old is virtually limitless. However, he will need to work hard to justify his huge price tag and prove he belongs at Old Trafford – 7/10.
Centre Back
Vincent Kompany: Arguably the best centre back in the country, it’s a well known secret that when he plays, Manchester City are a much better team, and his presence would be equally vital to any Manchester XI – 9/10.
Phil Jones: It’s a big season for the young Englishman, who will hope to make good on his potential and prove himself as more than a useful utility man. However, he will have to work hard just to earn his spot in Van Gaal’s team – 6/10.
Centre Back
Eliaquim Mangala: While the Frenchman is yet to be confirmed as a Manchester City player, the move’s completion seems inevitable, and as one of the brightest defensive talents in Europe, could City have finally found a viable centre back partner for Kompany – 8/10.
Jonny Evans: He has been a faithful servant to United over the years and, if the club aren’t able to strengthen, he could still have a vital role to play. But you would expect at least one new centre back to arrive at Old Trafford before the new season starts – 6/10.
Defensive Midfield
Fernando: The jury is out on this 27-year-old, who has spent almost his entire career with Porto. Despite his exploits, he is yet to earn an international cap for Brazil, and judging by their World Cup performance that doesn’t bode particularly well – 5/10.
Michael Carrick: Steady and reliable, this experienced midfielder is a must for any Manchester XI in the holding midfield role, providing he can shake off his nagging injury issues. It will be interesting to see how Van Gaal uses him next season – 7/10.
Centre Midfield
Fernandinho: Had a decent first season in a Manchester City shirt during the last campaign, but under-performed massively at this summer’s World Cup. It will be interesting to see whether that has any hang over effect on his performances – 7/10.
Ander Herrera: One of United’s new signings, the ex-Athletic Bilbao midfielder made an extraordinary debut in his team’s recent friendly against LA Galaxy, with United running out 7-0 winners. More of the same for the Manchester XI please – 8/10.
Centre Midfield
Yaya Toure: Unstoppable when he is on form, and arguably one of the best players in the world. He is a must for the Manchester XI, and would play a key role in the midfield engine room, contributing to both attack and defence – 10/10.
Juan Mata: It was a difficult decision to leave Mata out of this Manchester XI team, but it’s an issue that Van Gaal may also find he has, as he attempts to fit all his attacking talent into a set of eleven players, while still maintaining a decent balance between attack and defence – 8/10.
Attacking Midfield
David Silva: But for now, Januzaj is the apprentice, and Silva is the master: the talented Spaniard is the heartbeat of City’s team alongside Kompany and Toure, and the trio will stay together in this Manchester XI – 9/10.
Adnan Januzaj: The young Belgian had an astonishing breakthrough year at Old Trafford, and was one of the few bright sparks of David Moyes’ time in charge of the club. If he can continue to develop, he will be an incredible player – 7/10.
Attacking Midfield
Samir Nasri: The French midfielder had his best season in a Manchester City shirt last year, but he can still fade in and out of form too regularly, while he has also been known to have temperament issues. That all means that he narrowly misses out on the Manchester XI – 7/10.
Wayne Rooney: While some will undoubtedly disagree, Wayne Rooney is an integral player for club and country if used in the right way. He has proved he can work well with Van Persie in the past, and that is enough to justify his inclusion in this team – 8/10.
Striker
Sergio Aguero: One of the most gifted strikers in the world, but his constant injury troubles are becoming a real concern, and that is unfortunately enough to rule him out if this team – 8/10.
Robin van Persie: Enjoyed two years as the Premier League’s best striker before his last injury-hit campaign, which saw him overshadowed by the brilliance of Luis Suarez. However, he showed in the World Cup that he his now fully fit once again, and defenders will be fearing his presence come August – 10/10.
Final Team (4-3-3 formation): De Gea; Sagna, Shaw, Kompany, Mangala; Carrick, Herrera, Toure; Silva, Rooney, Van Persie.
Manchester City: 84/110 Manchester United: 81/110
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