Manchester City Lineup Prediction: Manchester United Away in EPL

The 4-2-4 formation has to go.

Displaying a variation of the en vogue 4-2-3-1, City have cut numerous teams asunder this season, but against the elite teams it has proved ineffective.

During their first Champions League match of the season, Napoli produced an efficient counter-attacking performance against City, demonstrating the potential pitfalls of Mancini’s new found aggressive attitude.

An injury to Nigel de Jong during the first game of the season forced Mancini’s hand somewhat, with Yaya Toure falling back into a much deeper defensive role than he has become accustomed to over the past year.  This opened up a space behind the main striker, which for the majority of City's fixtures this year has been occupied by new signing Sergio Aguero.

Aguero’s presence brought the best out of Edin Dzeko, with the Bosnian performing notably better when paired with the diminutive Argentinean rather than as a lone striker.

On Tuesday night against Villarreal, City started with a front four of Samir Nasri, David Silva, Adam Johnson and Edin Dzeko.  Villarreal proceeded to counter-attack centrally, bypassing Nasri and Silva, with Nigel de Jong still looking rusty following his long injury layoff.

Mancini rectified this situation before half time, replacing the ineffective Johnson with Gareth Barry.  Pushing Yaya Toure into an advanced, central role, with Barry and de Jong holding, instantly paid dividends, with the equaliser following minutes later.

Predicted formation: 4-2-3-1

Joe Hart;

Micah Richards, Vincent Kompany, Joleon Lescott, Gael Clichy;

Nigel de Jong, Gareth Barry;

David Silva, Yaya Toure, James Milner;

Mario Balotelli.

Hart

Hart is England's and Manchester City's number one goalkeeper.

Richards Kompany Lescott Clichy

Vincent Kompany and Joleon Lescott are certain to start.  Following Kolo Toure’s eight-month suspension, Lescott has firmly established himself in the team.

Mancini has taken to rotating the full-backs in pairs this season.  With Pablo Zabaleta and Aleksandar Kolarov starting Tuesday’s Champions League game, it is very likely that Micah Richards and Gael Clichy will return.  With the lack of natural width from the attackers, the full-backs have extra emphasis to push on, meaning that introducing fresh legs will be vital this season.

de Jong Barry

Although many would like to see Owen Hargreaves at Old Trafford, he is far more likely to start at Molineux midweek in the Carling Cup.

Nigel de Jong and Gareth Barry are an established partnership and will be vital to winning the battle in the middle of the park.

Silva Yaya Milner

David Silva often starts on the right side of the advanced three, but when attacking it essentially becomes a free role.  United will have their hands full trying to accomplish what many have failed to do—stifle the Barclays Player Of The Month for September.

Yaya Toure is likely to return to the position he famously held in last season’s FA Cup semifinal versus Manchester United. 

James Milner has pushed himself into contention with a series of impressive performances in the past month.  His tenacious work rate combined with the calmness demonstrated in his match-winning pass versus Villarreal make him an ideal candidate to withstand the pressure of Old Trafford.  Samir Nasri undoubtedly provides flair and guile, but he has not entirely imposed his will onto a full 90 minutes since his debut game at White Hart Lane.

Balotelli

The hardest position to predict this week is the lead striker.  Mario Balotelli has shown maturity to his game which many critics did not think he was capable of, notably performing admirably in last season’s FA Cup semifinal and final. Four goals in four games this term has seen Balotelli in sparkling form.

As previously mentioned, Edin Dzeko is most effective when played with a strike partner, so is unlikely to start in this formation.

Sergio Aguero will be pushing hard for a position in the starting lineup, with his return to action signified with a winning goal 10 seconds from time in Tuesday’s Champions League tie.