A combined XI of Manchester United & Manchester City.
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With reigning Premier League champions Manchester City kicking off their season in the Community Shield clash with Arsenal this afternoon, CaughtOffside looks at how Manuel Pellegrini’s side are looking in comparison to their local rivals, who will be hoping to get back to their best after last season’s nightmare campaign under David Moyes.
Both sides have brought in some new faces over the summer, with City continuing to make some big-name purchases that have helped fire them to the top of the table in recent years, and helping to dent United’s total dominance of English football in the process.
Still, United have also bought well this summer, and of course still have a number of big-name players who are up there with the best that City have to offer.
Goalkeeper and defence:
It’s a close call in goal, but Manchester United’s Spanish shot-stopper David de Gea just gets the nod over Manchester City’s Joe Hart on recent form, with the England number one having an inconsistent campaign last season. Elsewhere, new United signing Luke Shaw is also in ahead of City left-back Aleksandar Kolarov, who is often in and out of the side as Manuel Pellegrini rotates him with Gael Clichy. It is an otherwise City-dominated backline, however, with the superb Pablo Zabaleta at right-back and with Vincent Kompany and Martin Demichelis as the two central defenders.
Midfield:
In a 4-4-2 formation, we’ve somewhat unsurprisingly gone for a central midfield pairing of Manchester City’s Yaya Toure and Fernandinho, who were both absolutely superb and probably the best midfield partnership in the Premier League last season as Pellegrini’s side claimed the title. United, on the other hand, have struggled to stregthen in that part of the pitch in recent years, despite spending £30m on Ander Herrera this summer, who is not quite in the same class as City’s two just yet.
Out wide, United’s January signing from Chelsea, Juan Mata, takes up a spot on the right, which is not necessarily his best role but still one where he can be effective and cutting in onto his favoured left foot. His fellow Spaniard David Silva, City’s creative genius, takes up the left flank in this combined XI.
Attack:
Looking close to getting back to his best, Wayne Rooney partners Sergio Aguero in this Manchester Xi strike force. There’s no doubt that these two would be a superb partnership to watch if they did play together, and they will both be crucial for their side’s title hopes this season. Some big names miss out as well, with no space for Robin van Persie or Edin Dzeko, but that shows the superb quality and strength in depth of both of these squads.
Manchester Combined XI in full: