A comparison of the best XI’s of the Manchester rivals.Although Manchester City’s big spending in recent years has quickly taken them to the top of the Premier League with two titles in three seasons and other silverware on show as well, Manchester United now look like catching up with some huge investments of their own.
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Manchester United XI with Radamel Falcao.
New manager Louis van Gaal has taken a somewhat ‘Galactico’ approach to revamping the squad at Old Trafford this season, but how do his new additions compare with the big names on show at the Etihad Stadium?
Goalkeeper: David de Gea vs Joe Hart
Two superb shot-stoppers that are very tough to choose between. On recent form it perhaps looks as though United star de Gea would get the nod, as Hart has looked a little more prone to errors and lapses in concentration over the last year or so, and was at fault again as City fell to a surprise 1-0 home defeat to Stoke City, allowing Mame Biram Diouf’s tame shot to trickle under him for the winning goal.
Vote: de Gea
SEE ALSO: Angel di Maria in Manchester United’s most expensive ever XI.
Right-back: Antonio Valencia vs Pablo Zabaleta
Although these two players fulfill slightly different roles due to the different formations deployed by the two clubs, Antonio Valencia is effectively a right-back these days as he plays the role of wing-back for van Gaal. Either way, there’s no question that the solid and reliable Pablo Zabaleta wins every time.
Vote: Zabaleta
Two superb attacking full-backs ideally suited to either a wing-back role or with plenty of freedom to attack from the left-back position. While United have the outstanding prospect in Luke Shaw as one for the future, it is almost certainly City star Aleksandar Kolarov who is the better player at the moment.
Vote: Kolarov
Although United’s new signing Marcos Rojo looks a superb talent at centre-back, he remains unproven at this level and will have some work to do to eclipse the superb Vincent Kompany, who has been a top class defender and leader for City in recent times.
Vote: Kompany
Although neither of these two are the best example of these side’s strength in depth in defence, they have proven to be reliable performers for the Manchester giants in recent times. Phil Jones perhaps just gets the nod here due to his tremendous potential, even if Demichelis is also a strong contender for his experience and much improved recent form.
Vote: Jones
Two new signings go head to head in this defensive midfield battle, with neither player yet to make a significant impact in the Premier League. Fernando looks a tougher and more competitive ‘destroyer’ in the middle of the park, while Herrera is more of a ball-player, and while the two are very different it is perhaps the Spaniard who is more important to his club and has more potential overall.
Vote: Herrera
In a battle that almost feels unfair due to United’s vastly inferior options in midfield at the moment, Yaya Toure is by far the clear winner here after establishing himself as one of the best midfielders in the world in recent years, particularly with some immense goalscoring displays from the middle of the park to fire City to the title last season.
Vote: Toure
Two superbly skillful and creative Spanish playmakers, these players are certainly among the finest star names that the Premier League has to offer. At their best it is near impossible to pick between the two of them, though David Silva has to get in ahead of his fellow countryman Juan Mata on recent form.
Vote: Silva
If his form at Real Madrid is anything to go by, Angel Di Maria should quickly establish himself as one of the best players in the Premier League, and his stats say he has much more of an end product than the inconsistent Samir Nasri. Both are fine players, no doubt, but United’s new boy certainly gets the nod here.
Vote: Di Maria
Two fine players who will be hoping to be among the main contenders to win the Golden Boot this season, but it is surely Manchester City hot-shot Sergio Aguero who is more at the peak of his game at the moment and in the ‘world class’ bracket.
Vote: Aguero
Although these two clubs have two more superb strikers in Robin van Persie and Stevan Jovetic to choose from upfront, it is perhaps these combinations that look more likely to be first choice for their respective sides this season. Radamel Falcao is a superb signing and one of the most exciting imports of the summer, and will surely prove more of a hit than Edin Dzeko if he hits top form, though the Bosnian international has also been a key player for City in recent times.
Vote: Falcao
