Manchester United v Manchester City: Derby combined XI

Sergio Aguero and David Silva both miss this fixture through injuryOne of the biggest and most intense game in the Premier League is about to take place tomorrow when Manchester City will take on Manchester United at Old Trafford. These fixtures used to be a fairly one-sided affair before the oil-rich Sheikhs from the land of the desert got in the way and injected competitiveness in the fixture.Ten years ago, a combined XI of these two teams would have been overloaded with players from the red half of Manchester. Now, however, the tides have changed—and recent history is the best testament to City’s rise as Manchester’s major power.If a team is to be built combining these two archrivals, then now there is certainly more competition for places. Without further ado, let’s have a look the combined XI—in a 4-2-3-1 formation—of Manchester ahead of tomorrow’s game at the Theatre of Dreams.

#1 Goalkeeper

David De Gea

David De Gea is perhaps the best goalkeeper in the league and is slightly ahead of Joe Hart when it comes to guarding the sticks. The Spaniard’s Manchester United career began in an erratic manner, a time when many fans thought he wasn’t the caliber that is required of a Van der Sar successor, but he went on to establish himself as their best player in the post-Ferguson era.

The stats may very well go in favour of the Englishman, with 32 clean sheets in the last 2 seasons compared to De Gea’s 25 in the same period, but what can’t be denied is that Hart was defended by much superior defenders than the ones that guard David De Gea.

In the dark post-Ferguson era, only he stood unmoved and strong like a mountain in the midst of a storm. The fact that he won United’s players’ player of the year award for the last 2 seasons consecutively just goes on to show how revered he is among his team-mates.

Add to that the fans’ relief at the breakdown of his last minute move to Real Madrid in the last window and he have a player who is almost irreplaceable as the guardian of the goal.

#2 Defence

Right back: Matteo Darmian

For the right-back spot, we have Bacary Sagna and Matteo Darmian fighting it out. Some years ago, Sagna would have been the obvious choice, but right now, no-one can look past the Italian and claim that he doesn’t deserve to be there.

He might have had a torrid time against Alexis Sanchez, but that doesn’t change the fact that he has been having a great season thus far and picked up where he left off at Torino. The Italian is billed to become one of the best right-backs in the game and is certainly on his way to reach there given the way he is playing right now.

Centre back: Chris Smalling

The lack of world-class center backs these days, especially in England, makes it quite easy to pick out the good ones. The right-center half slot is for Chris Smalling to hold as he has been rock-solid for the Red Devils this season. Smalling has come of age and has obviously improved under the Dutchman as a large part of United’s astute defensively display has him to thank for.

Centre back: Vincent Kompany

Despite only just returning from injury, Vincent Kompany is the defender chosen to fill in the left-center half spot. City are earmarked as the firm favourites to win the Premiership title and Kompany is the stone which forms the crux of a team challenging for the championship. The fact that City failed to keep a single clean sheet in the 7 games that he was absent in shows how much quality he adds to the team.

Left back: Aleksandar Kolarov

Finally, at left-back, we have none but one option: Aleksandar Kolarav. With injuries to Luke Shaw and Marcos Rojo, the Serbian gets the nod as the left-back in this team. At times, he is a liability in defense, but his pinpoint crossing ability makes him one of the biggest attacking threats from the left-flank.

#3 Midfield

Centre midfield: Bastian Schweinsteiger & Yaya Toure

The base of the midfield is said to be the root of all attacking plays and the pivot of the team. With both Manchester clubs fielding a double-pivot, the choices of players becomes narrowed down to Bastian Schweinsteiger and Yaya Toure.

Both are excellent box-to-box midfielders who have the necessary skills to guard the defense as well as take turns to go forward and wreak havoc in the opponent’s zone. Yaya Toure’s freedom since arriving in the Premier League means that he doesn’t quite often display the required discipline to play a reserved role, but with the arrivals of extravagant players like Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling at the Etihad, he seems to have developed some sort of resistance, only going forward at intervals.

Bastian Schweinsteiger, however, is the epitome of discipline and it is one of the reasons why he is a manager’s delight. With his presence, Toure’s attacking skills can be used to the fullest while also not compromising the German’s passing ability.

Right midfield: Juan Mata

In the 3-man line behind the striker reside 3 players who are exceptional in their own way and add something completely different from the other.

On the right-wing, Juan Mata will function as the inside-forward-cum-trequartista working within the channels. The Spaniard has been in superb form and finds his career rejuvenated under Louis van Gaal, scoring 4 goals and assisting twice in 11 games this season.

Central attacking midfielder: Kevin De Bruyne

The attacking midfielder role is reserved for Kevin De Bruyne. The Belgian has picked up at City where he left off at Wolfsburg as he has been in stunning form to score 4 goals and 3 assists in only 8 games. He makes football seem simple and Mourinho can only wonder what could have been had he not sold him off to Wolfsburg.

Left midfield: Raheem Sterling

Normally, David Silva would have walked into this XI, but an injury to him means that Raheem Sterling is the person entitled with the role of barging towards the goal from the left-wing. The blazing youngster has had an enigmatic start to his City career thus far and would surely like to be more consistent. However, a hattrick against Bournemouth suggests that there is more to come.

#4 Striker

Anthony Martial

Sergio Aguero is the default man to lead the line. However, an injury to the Argentine means that teenage sensation Anthony Martial will take the mantle. With 4 goals and 1 assist in 8 games so far this season, he has started off his life in England with a bang and fans are rightfully excited about their newest talent.

When it was reported that United could have to pay up to 80 million Euros for the French starlet, it raised many eyebrows. But his consistent performances and composed nature while on the ball depicts the kind of talent that he possesses.

With Wayne Rooney forgetting how to play as a striker and Wilfried Bony being way behind the Frenchman in terms of raw talent, it is this 19-year-old that has been chosen to lead the line of this team filled with world class stars.