United vs Manchester City: Mario Balotelli and Rivalry's Top Playmakers

There are few games bigger than Manchester United vs. Manchester City. They have rich tradition and history that most clubs know nothing about.

What sets this rivalry apart from most is the amount of playmakers on each team. Scoring and setting up goals is what being a great playmaker is all about. Here are the best playmakers from this historic rivalry.

Samir Nasri

Samir Nasri doesn’t score many goals, but he finds his teammates unlike few in this rivalry. He has seven assists and two goals in 15 games.

He gives City another playmaker that is capable of shining bright at any key moment in a game. His vision and movement allows great one-two combinations with his teammates.

Nasri isn’t the best playmaker in this rivalry, but he certainly adds another dynamic piece to City’s possible championship puzzle.

Javier Hernandez

When Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez is healthy, he is one of the best forwards in the English Premier League. He has scored six goals on the season and set up another.

He plays with great pace and precision, and his decisions on the pitch are timely. His vision and anticipation are two of his best attributes, and they both bode well in big-time competition.

Hernandez is a promising player that should dominate at Old Trafford for years to come.

Mario Balotelli

Confidence. Swagger. Cockiness. Skillful. All attributes, great or poor, of City’s Mario Balotelli.

You know that any time he touches the ball, he could bury one in spectacular fashion. He has scored eight Premier League goals this season.

Sometimes, Balotelli’s ill-willed and temperamental behavior can overshadow just how great he can be on the pitch. All he needs to do is tone the behavior down just a smudge.

Either way, he is a huge difference maker for City.

Nani

Talk about a playmaker. Nani has all the attributes to be the best playmaker in this rivalry. His pace and ball control are world-class attributes. He does have the tendency of being ambitious with his efforts, but he is a player that must be keyed on during the course of a game.

Nani has scored six goals and has set up seven others in the Premier League this season.

Whenever he touches the ball, he is a playmaking threat capable of pulling off something spectacular.  

Sergio Aguero

If it wasn’t for Robin van Persie going crazy with 17 goals this season, people would be talking about Sergio Aguero a little bit more.

He has scored 14 goals and set up four others in 19 Premier League games.

Acceleration and ball control is what sets him apart from others. Aguero has made a name for himself as one of the best strikers in the world.

He is the most dangerous City player in this rivalry.

Wayne Rooney

There isn’t too much to say about Wayne Rooney that the average fan doesn’t already know. Rooney continues to play large roles in big-time games, and he proved that on Sunday when he scored twice against Manchester City.

Rooney has 13 goals and two assists in 18 games this season.

He gets the top spot just because he’s been doing it for a long time for Manchester United. Rooney continues to prove that he’s one of the best strikers in the EPL. He proved on Sunday why he is the best playmaker in this rivalry.