Manchester United vs. Manchester City XI: Complete Player-by-Player Breakdown
Manchester United take on Manchester City in a top-of-the-table derby game this Sunday at Old Trafford.
City go into the match as premier League leaders, two points ahead of Arsenal and United. The Blues have scored 11 goals in their last two league matches—a 6-1 win over Newcastle United and a 5-1 victory over Bournemouth last Saturday.
Their stoppage-time win over Sevilla in Wednesday’s Champions League match at the Etihad was a huge boost ahead of their biggest league match of the campaign. Their defending, though, has been questionable during recent weeks and is surely a concern for Manuel Pellegrini.
United sit third in the table but have been somewhat inconsistent of late. Last weekend saw them produce a hugely impressive performance away at Everton as they won 3-0 at a ground where they have often struggled.
However, that result was preceded by a 3-0 defeat away at Arsenal, where United were taken apart by a ruthless Gunners side in the opening 45 minutes. Their 1-1 draw against CSKA Moscow in the Champions League on Tuesday was also a disappointing result.
It's all set up to be a great game this Sunday. Here's a look at the players ahead of the match.
Goalkeeper: David De Gea
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Spanish goalkeeper David De Gea is the star of this current United team.
It’s been a remarkable turnaround since he arrived in England back in 2011 when there were serious question marks over his ability.
He signed a new deal in the summer and United fans will be thankful he did. Recent saves against Southampton and Everton offered further evidence of his ability. He’s a class act.
Right-Back: Antonio Valencia
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Right-back is a position United manager Louis van Gaal cannot seem to nail down. Matteo Darmian started the season strongly and was firmly in possession of the role, but Antonio Valencia has been preferred there in recent weeks.
Darmian is the better defender, while Valencia will be seen as more of an attacking threat. It all depends on Van Gaal’s approach on the day which one will start.
Centre-Back: Chris Smalling
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Along with De Gea, Chris Smalling has arguably been United’s most consistent player this season, with his career now going firmly in the right direction after some difficult periods in the past.
His red card at the Etihad last season appears to have been something of a turning point.
Centre-Back: Phil Jones
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Phil Jones had a very poor first half against CSKA Moscow on Wednesday, especially his lack of reaction to De Gea's penalty save—Seydou Doumbia was five yards ahead of him before he started moving.
He grew into that game, though, and was superb against Everton. For all his faults, he's perhaps a more natural central defender than Blind.
Left-Back: Daley Blind
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Marcos Rojo’s poor display against CSKA could see Daley Blind preferred at left-back.
His use of the ball is superb—he’s clearly an intelligent player—but his lack of pace remains a concern.
He is perhaps a player hamstrung by his own versatility having played at full-back, centre-back and in midfield since arriving at Old Trafford. Expect him to start, though.
Midfield: Morgan Schneiderlin
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The midfielder United have needed for years or a stop-gap until something better comes available?
Morgan Schneiderlin was superb against Moscow, giving his best performance yet for United. It's a big step up from Southampton to United, and he's struggled a little thus far, but he was in sole charge of the defensive midfield in the second half against Moscow and bossed it.
He brings a physicality to the United midfield they have sorely lacked in recent years, and it would be a huge surprise if he didn’t start against City.
Midfield: Bastian Schweinsteiger
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Clearly, Bastian Schweinsteiger's best days are behind him, but United have bagged themselves a class act, even if it’s just for the short term.
United have perhaps lacked leadership in recent seasons, and the German has it in abundance.
Attacking Midfield Right: Juan Mata
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Expect Juan Mata to return for this one. Off the boil after an excellent September, Mata has spent the season either looking a little ineffective or being by far United's most important creator and goalscorer.
A player who influences games in big moments, rather than one who runs the show, Mata is a delight to watch when he's on his game but is also capable of being underwhelming.
Which Mata turns up on Sunday could be crucial to the outcome.
Attacking Midfield Left: Anthony Martial
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Given he is just 19 years of age, Anthony Martial has had an incredible impact at United since his move from Monaco this summer.
He's scored five goals in nine games for the club and has brought pace, energy and impetus to a side that desperately needed it.
He will be a huge threat on Sunday in his first taste of a Manchester derby.
Attacking Midfield Centre: Ander Herrera
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Quite why Ander Herrera has been so grossly underused is anyone’s guess. When he plays, United look far more well-oiled. It’s that simple.
He’s the best of United’s midfielders at producing the killer pass, and he also has more energy than his peers. He brings so much quality that Van Gaal will struggle to leave him out of such a big game. Surely.
Striker: Wayne Rooney
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Is there a current United player who divides his own supporters quite as sharply as Wayne Rooney?
On one side of the debate are those who ardently defend him. But there are a growing number fed up with his undroppable status.
Overall, he's been poor this season, but Van Gaal respects him as a captain and values his work rate in the final third. He will definitely start.
Goalkeeper: Joe Hart
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Few City players have eclipsed Joe hart this season. The City goalkeeper has been in superb form, with his display in the recent win over Borussia Monchengladbach perhaps his finest of the season.
There are few better 'keepers in the league on current form.
Right-Back: Bacary Sagna
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With Pablo Zabaleta still finding his feet after a lengthy injury layoff, Bacary Sagna could well start at right-back in the derby.
Zabaleta looked short of sharpness and was substituted during Wednesday’s win over Sevilla, leaving the former Arsenal man in pole position to line up at Old Trafford.
Sagna has been excellent so far this season. After a debut campaign that saw him play just 10 times in the league and therefore fail to establish himself, he’s been a regular this season and his performances have improved drastically.
Centre-Back: Nicolas Otamendi
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There’s clearly some tension between Pellegrini and his captain, Vincent Kompany.
The Belgian was injured during the game with Juventus six weeks ago and missed the following five City games. However, despite the club sending a medical note to the Belgian FA ahead of their recent game with Israel saying Kompany was unfit to play, he started the match and played 57 minutes.
"We sent Vincent with a medical report saying he cannot play," said Pellegrini. "The national squad have all the rights to do what they want.
"Vincent didn't play in our last few games and some day clubs will protest that it should be the same thing the other way."
He was left out of the following match—the 5-1 win over Bournemouth—as Pellegrini made his point still further, yet everyone expected him to return for Wednesday's win over Sevilla. Kompany remained on the sidelines, suggesting all is not well.
It leaves Nicolas Otamendi in command of the shirt. The Argentinian has had a mixed start to life at City but looks set to start this one.
Centre-Back: Eliaquim Mangala
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One of the few defensive bright spots from Wednesday’s game with Sevilla was the performance of Eliaquim Mangala.
Mangala, 24, did well against the La Liga side and gave a display in keeping with his steady improvement since joining the club in the summer of 2014. His momentary lapses in concentration are still an issue, but it's clear he's beginning to settle.
Left-Back: Aleksandar Kolarov
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Serbian left-back Aleksandar Kolarov was injured during the recent international break, but he was introduced as a late substitute against Sevilla with Pellegrini looking to add some attacking intent to a subdued City.
Given Gael Clichy remains out and Zabaleta is short of match sharpness, expect Kolarov to start this one and try to get forward as much as possible down the left flank.
Midfield: Fernandinho
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With the hangover from his involvement in Brazil’s World Cup semi-final hammering at the hands of Germany finally behind him, Fernandinho has been in fine form this season.
He brings energy to the City midfield, with his box-to-box style key to their style. He is an intelligent player who knows when to sit and break up play, and when to go forward and support attacks.
In last season's 4-2 defeat at Old Trafford, he was City's best player.
Midfield: Yaya Toure
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At 32, Yaya Toure is perhaps behind his very best, but there are still very few midfielders in the Premier League, if any, who can compete with the Ivorian.
Wednesday's win over Sevilla was a great example of his importance to this City side. He produced two crucial moments of individual skill—pace, power and technical ability—that were crucial in creating City's two goals.
He is likely to captain the side if Kompany is, indeed, left on the bench.
Attacking Midfield Right: Jesus Navas
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He's often criticised for a lack of end product, but Jesus Navas gave his best display of the season against his old club Sevilla earlier this week, and he has surely guaranteed himself a starting berth against United.
Navas brings pace, balance and incredible work rate to the City team, stretching defences with his desire to play right out on the touchline and run in straight lines.
Pellegrini's trust in him is clear. He made 45 appearances for the club last season and has been a regular this time around.
Attacking Midfield Left: Kevin De Bruyne
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Is there a better player in the City side at the moment?
Kevin De Bruyne has been a revelation since he joined the club from Wolfsburg in the summer and has quickly made his £54 million transfer fee seem like a bargain.
He possesses a wonderful first touch, superb vision, intelligence and natural passing ability.
He already has five goals for City, including Wednesday's vital late winner against Sevilla.
Withdrawn Striker: Raheem Sterling
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After his hat-trick in City's last league match against Bournemouth, Raheem Sterling is likely to continue in the central role he's recently occupied.
He's played most of the season on the left, but a subtle tactical alteration, which saw him play closer to Wilfried Bony against the Cherries, paid dividends.
Sterling, 20, has been somewhat inconsistent, but his pace frightens defenders and he will surely start this one.
Striker: Wilfried Bony
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Three goals in his last two matches will surely have provided Wilfried Bony with a much-needed confidence boost ahead Sunday's match.
He had struggled for form since arriving from Swansea in January, with injury and illness causing him problems. However, in Sergio Aguero's absence, he's finally finding some rhythm.
Question marks remain over his long-term suitability to playing for a side with the ambitions City have, but it's almost certain he will lead the City attack at Old Trafford.
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