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Not many people would have predicted the current landscape of the Manchester rivalry heading into Sunday’s derby at Old Trafford. This time last year, United fans were left reeling after an exceptional City swept the floor with David Moyes’ men in their own back garden. That 3-0 victory for Manuel Pellegrini plunged his counterpart into further crisis (in fact, he would only last a further three weeks in the United job).
City may have defeated United 6-1 back in 2011 in what Sir Alex Ferguson called his “worst day in football,” but last season was arguably City’s most dominant over the Reds. Not only did they brush them aside 3-0, the eventual champions also gave Moyes a baptism of fire in the Manchester derby in September 2013, romping to a 4-1 victory which spelled humiliation for an abject United.
United heading into match as form team
However, although United have gone through an uncomfortable transition this season under Louis van Gaal, they currently stand above City in the table and are certainly the form side heading into Sunday’s clash. United have lost their last four league games against City but this weekend’s game represents their greatest opportunity to arrest the losing streak and reestablish their derby authority.
Back in November, City won a tempestous affair 1-0 thanks to a second-half strike from Sergio Aguero, with Chris Smalling seeing red for the visitors at the Etihad Stadium for picking up a couple of ridiculous bookings – one for blocking Joe Hart’s kick and the second for a desperate lunge on James Milner.
In that game, United looked every bit a side who were still bearing the scars of recent derby day misery, their nerves frayed and their confidence visibly zapped. Despite the cloud of doom that has presided over United’s recent derby experiences however, a run of five consecutive league victories has their confidence soaring once again as the LvG philosophy becomes more effective and clearer by the week.
Difference in midfield strengths
A massive problem with United, in recent years has been in midfield. In recent derbies, United’s men in the middle have looked overrun and out-maneouvred by the powerful force of Yaya Toure. At Old Trafford last season, Toure swept home the third of three goals after another barnstormingly authoratitive display. However, as Toure’s form continues to falter – there is increased speculation that City will look to offload him in the summer – United’s is finally exhibiting a fluidity and shape.
Initially, the newly-arrived duo of Ander Herrera and Daley Blind performed well, but not well enough to suggest that either of them had a future in the first-team midfield. Blind was regarded as a neat and tidy player lacking the drive and penetration that had characterised several of the sub-par performances under Moyes. Herrera, meanwhile, threatened to turn into something of a first-team pariah, much like Shinji Kagawa before him. The consensus was that while Herrera was undoubtedly talented, United were correct in originally baulking at his £28 million pricetag and LvG struggled to trust him with a key role in the side.
It looks as though Herrera is finding his best form at the perfect time. He has cemented his place in the heart of United’s midfield and is enjoying a fruitful partnership with Michael Carrick, whose return to the side after a month out was met with unanimous relief.
Herrera and Carrick are an axis armed with all the attributes required to flourish at the top of the Premier League; dynamism, tactical acumen, pace and a propensity to get forward and score goals. Carrick’s natural instinct is to sit deeper and protect the back four, especially when United are not in possession, but the 4-3-3 formation currently in operation also allows him to enjoy a lion’s share of possession and contribute in attack.
Herrera, his trusted lieutenant with a licence to roam forward, compliments Carrick extremely well. In tandem, the two have been producing stellar performances that have bolstered the confidence of both the fans and LvG in the squad. If Blind partnered Carrick in the centre, there would not be enough forward-thinking intensity. With Herrera, on the other hand, United’s midfield has a balance and spark that will be vital in overcoming City this weekend and in securing a strong finish to the season.
Herrera’s chemistry with Mata
Of course, Carrick is not the only midfielder Herrera is enjoying a productive understanding with, as the ever-improving Juan Mata is also bringing the best out in his compatriot. Herrera has enjoyed a chemistry with Mata when the latter has played on the right of United’s midfield, particularly in the 2-1 win over Liverpool at Anfield. For Mata’ first goal Herrera controlled the ball, and with a mere glance, instinctively knew that Mata was darting in behind Alberto Moreno, threading a perfectly weighted through ball to create the opening goal.
Mata has hailed his blossoming partnership with the former Athletic Bilbao player and believes their new-found on-field telepathy will be significant in maintaining United’s promising form. Herrera and Mata have both bagged doubles in United’s last two victories, over Aston Villa and Liverpool respectively and this Spanish double-act will be key in unlocking the City defence.
Resurgent Fellaini and Rooney
Any discussion on United’s resurgence this season would not be complete without an appraisal of Marouane Fellaini’s recent portfolio of outstanding contributions. The towering Belgian has excelled since van Gaal opted to deploy him in an advanced role. His height and strength have given United a solid target in attack but he has also reminded his critics of a goalscoring prowess that originally played a part in United’s attraction to him.
In his final season with Everton, Fellaini managed 12 goals, a commendable haul for a player known more for unnerving his opponents with his intimidating frame rather than scoring goals. Fellaini scored the opener in the 3-0 win over Spurs, assisted the second and was voted Man of the Match. Following that, Fellaini scored three goals in two Euro 2016 Qualifiers for Belgium and van Gaal was forced into saying he has become impossible to drop because of his form. City are a tall team but Fellaini will cause Vincent Kompany plenty of headaches in Sunday’s showdown.
Finally, it is reasonable to suspect United will end their losing streak against City with Wayne Rooney firing with venom once again. Rooney’s identity crisis after being thrust back into midfield has been remedied since he has been deployed in the role he was born to play in; a striker. The England and United captain gives his club a cutting edge up front and he has reminded everyone who thought the next stages of his career lay in a deeper role that his best position is leading the line.
Rooney relishes the passion of these derby encounters and his fiery leadership from the front will give United the impetus to press on and claim a crucial three points.
