Picking a Manchester United-Manchester City XI Based on Form This Year
Manchester City go into Sunday’s derby with Manchester United at Old Trafford knowing a win would set a new club record.
City have never won five consecutive matches against their local rivals but have a chance to change that. In fact, no side has won five straight league games against United in the Premier League era.
Not only is a club record at stake, but there’s also the more pressing issue of City’s league position. Arsenal and United have both taken advantage of City's recent poor form, and Manuel Pellegrini’s side now find themselves in fourth position, outside of the automatic Champions League qualification places.
It’s all set up nicely for Sunday’s game. To get in the mood, here’s Bleacher Report's combined XI based on form this season. The team is set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Feel free to make your own suggestions in the comments section below.
Goalkeeper: David De Gea
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There's been a significant improvement in Joe Hart's performances over the past 12 months, but David De Gea, who has been United's best player for two years now, eclipses the England No. 1.
De Gea has never kept a clean sheet in a Manchester derby and made a couple of errors in recent weeks, yet taking the season as a whole, he's been one of the best players in the league. When United were in the midst of a poor run performance-wise, De Gea kept them in matches and earned them vital points.
He's an exceptional talent.
Right-Back: Pablo Zabaleta
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It's been his poorest campaign in four years, but even taking his slight dip in form into consideration, Pablo Zabaleta has still been very good.
He's set such high standards over previous campaigns that maintaining it was always going to be tough. Given he was overused for two years and then went all the way to the World Cup final in Brazil last summer, it's hardly a surprise he's looked somewhat jaded.
He still gets in as right-back here, though.
Centre-Back: Martin Demichelis
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With the decline in Vincent Kompany's form over the past 12 months, Martin Demichelis has emerged as City's best centre-back by quite some distance.
His reading of the game is outstanding, and he has fantastic aerial ability. He deserves a spot in this side after the quality he's shown this season.
Centre-Back: Marcos Rojo
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Chris Smalling has improved significantly this season, but Marcos Rojo, whose all-action displays have been a key part of United's form, pips him into the side.
He looked vulnerable and shaky at first, but once he settled, he began to show his quality. With a year's worth of Premier League experience in the bag, next season could be even better for Rojo.
Left-Back: Ashley Young
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United's most improved player under Louis van Gaal, Ashley Young has had a fine season in an unfamiliar position.
He's added an edge to United's attacks and shown he's capable defensively. If anyone had said in pre-season that he would go on to be the best left-back in Manchester on form, very few would have thought it possible.
Defensive Midfield: Yaya Toure
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After a difficult first few weeks of the season, Yaya Toure has once again been at the heart of everything City have done well.
A unique blend of power, pace, passing accuracy and shooting ability make him so difficult to shackle. He's one of the finest players in Premier League history, and even now, at 31, he has so much to offer.
Defensive Midfield: Daley Blind
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Daley Blind may not be a player with explosive attributes, but what an effective player he's been for United this season.
Seemingly always in the right place at the right time, his reading of the game is superb, and he distributes the ball neatly and with great care. He's been a superb acquisition.
Attacking Midfield Right: James Milner
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If James Milner is to leave City this summer, which looks increasingly likely as he is yet to agree a new contract with the club, they will have lost a hugely important player.
Milner has been superb this season, playing in a number of positions with equal quality. He even played as a lone striker over the Christmas period—one of City's best spells of form.
Hard-working, strong, defensively minded and possessing great quality, it's no wonder the City fans adore him.
Attacking Midfield Centre: Wayne Rooney
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Wayne Rooney has his critics, with a feeling he has failed to live up to expectations still pervading, yet it's hard to argue against his inclusion here.
He has bagged 12 league goals for United this season and played in a number of different roles, displaying his usual work rate and tenacity.
Attacking Midfield Left: David Silva
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David Silva, 29, remains the attacking fulcrum of this City side, their finest creative player and the key to their best moments going forward.
It's doubtful there's a better attacking midfielder in the Premier League, and City will be hoping he can maintain his current level well into his 30s.
Striker: Sergio Aguero
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It would be impossible to leave him out. Sergio Aguero is one of the finest finishers in world football, and his 23 goals for City in all competitions this season underlines that fact.
He's gone six games without a goal ahead of Sunday's derby, but it is a fixture he enjoys. It would hardly be a surprise if he ended his short drought in emphatic style at Old Trafford on Sunday.
