Manchester Derby: How United or City Can Secure Victory
Arguably one of the most entertaining hometown derbies, the Manchester Derby is only going to grow in stature and importance.This is because Manchester City now have the resources to compete with their crosstown rivals.
Prior to City's new money this derby was anything but exciting or important. If anything this derby in the past was a game for United to assert their dominance to their neighbors. City will want to come out and prove a point and hopefully secure more than one. United will want to come out guns blazing to prove that they are still the team to beat in Manchester.
How City Can Win
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With Rio Ferdinand out injured and Carlos Tevez likely to be keeping Nemanja Vidic busy, Edin Dzeko will likely find himself enough space to terrorize Ferdinand's replacement. Be it Chris Smalling, or Johnny Evans, either of them will likely struggle to keep up with Dzeko's physicality and pace. With Dzeko keeping Rio's replacement under pressure, Tevez will likely exploit the gaps in space behind the defense.
Hard Tackling
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One of the hardest tacklers in the world, Nigel De Jong inspired a catchphrase when he karate kicked Xabi Alonso during the World Cup in 2010. Often the phrase "De Jonged" is mentioned when a horrendous ugly tackle is committed. Hopefully no one gets "De Jonged" in the derby, but De Jong will be key to holding down the midfield. He will be crucial in slowing down or breaking up United attack through the middle, and important in controlling Scholes, Fletcher, or Anderson from playing killer passes.
Bully Berbatov
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Dimitar Berbatov has been on fire this season, and when he feels like scoring chances are he will score. If City want a chance to get anything out of the match, shutting down Berbatov will be vitally important. When Berbatov is taken out of his element, he tends to disappear from games. City's defensive players will have to make Berbatov as uncomfortable as possible to ensure he remains ineffective.
Physcial Runs Forward
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Often regarded as more of a defensive midfielder at Barcelona, Yaya Toure has reinvented himself by developing his attacking qualities this term. At times looking like a Patrick Viera throwback, Toure and his surging runs forward will be key in unsettling United's back four and creating space for Tevez and David Silva to do the rest.
Don't Waste Opportunities
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United at times have looked rocky at the back, especially on dead balls. Tevez & Co must crash the box at every set piece to create chances. Since opportunities during the run of play are likely to happen less often, City must strike and be clinical when it counts.
How United Can Win
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Ge the ball to Nani. Nani has been central to United's attack, and his league leading 12 assists to go along with 8 goals are proof of that. Consistent delivery to the box from Nani to a resurgent Wayne Rooney and critical Berbatov will likely get United a goal or two.
Set The Tempo
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The ginger prince will continue doing what he does best, dictating the speed and flow of the game. Paul Scholes and others will have to use their skill and experience to make sure they take it to City hard for the first 30 minutes and look to unsettle City's back four. If United can control the tempo of the match, it could force City into mistakes.
Win The Battle Out Wide
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Since Adam Johnson is injured for City, City's flanks look less threatening. Rafael, Ryan Giggs, Patrice Evra, and Nani will have to spread the game out wide and keep it there. By pulling out City's defense, United will be able to switch the point of attack instantly.
The Old Trafford Faithful
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If United's man marking can't keep Tevez out of his game, maybe the fans can. With Tevez out of his mental game, City will loose half of their attack. Rafael will have to be on his best from to keeping Tevez out of the physical game, and the Old Trafford Crowd will do their best at knocking him out on his mental game.
The Mental Edge
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Cool heads will prevail. If United can keep tempers down, victory looks more attainable. No clumsy tackles from Scholes, no talking back from Rooney, and no red cards from Rafael. By United keeping mentally level, their skills and experience will likely guarantee three points for the league leaders.
