London XI vs Merseyside XI vs Manchester XI - Who wins?

Manchester XI

Ex United player Carlos Tevez’s controverial poster for arch-rivals City in Manchester

In the 70s and 80s Manchester was left chasing their hated north-western neighbours’ shadows where they went. That all changed with the arrival of a Scot named Alex Ferguson (and much later on, Sheikhs Mansoor bin Zayed of the emirate of Abu Dhabi!). Manchester United and Oasis led the proud county back to the forefront of England’s and the World’s footballing and music scenes.

Now with United and City taking turns to win titles in the new decade (and there is no love lost between the two), Manchester lords over English football with the regal haughtiness of an Emperor.

Even if Bolton and Bury (the other major clubs in the county) were to be in the Premier League, the squad would still in all probability consist exclusively of the red of United and sky blue of City. With the United team undergoing major surgery, the team naturally has a strong light-blue flavour.

Goalkeeper

David de Gea – The Spaniard was one of the few bright spots for Manchester United last season, and he shows no signs of letting up. An incredible shot-stopper possessed with great agility, speed and reflexes, De Gea has vastly improved his skills against aerial balls and looks the real deal. Could grow into a United legend in the mould of Peter Schmiechel!

Defence

RB: Pablo Zabaleta - The marauding Argentine is arguably the best player in his position in the world today. With a “I’d rather die than give up” spirit and seemingly endless stamina, he is effective both as a defensive shield and an attacking weapon with his ability to send in searching crosses and knack for scoring important goals.

CB: Vincent Kompany (C) – The rock at the heart of the Mancunian defence, the giant Belgian is one of the most complete central defenders in the world today. Brave, strong, ferocious in tackle and with an uncanny ability to read moves, Kompany is the inspirational leader of the team from Greater Manchester

CB- Eliaquim Mangala – A talented centre-back with all the traditional attributes of a classical old-school defender with great athleticism and astonishing acceleration to break down attacks with consummate ease.

LB: Luke Shaw – The uber-talented youngster was one of the most promising youngsters on show in the league last season for Southampton. His incisive and tireless running from the back and intuitive defensive abilities mark him out as one of the best fullbacks in the league

Midfield

CDM: Fernandinho – The Brazilian may have had a nightmare World Cup but that does not take the sheen away from his magnificent displays in the heart of midfield for City last season. He was the tireless engine that mopped up behind the more creative forces in front of him and served as the dike against which wave after wave of opposition attack floundered

CM: Yaya Toure – Strong, agile, fast; Toure is a beast of a football player who seems to have imbibed the qualities of that brilliant Marvel creation (from X Men) Juggernaut. Like the mutant, if the Ivorian builds up a head of steam, he is impossible to stop. Strong defensively, the presence of Fernandinho at his side gives him the attacking freedom that makes him arguably, the league’s most dangerous player.

RAM: Angel Di Maria -The magnificent Argentine may just be the talisman that rejuvenates an ailing Manchester United. Tireless running and boundless energy perfectly compliment tremendous ability on the ball. His lightning pace and the ability to run at defences with the ball seemingly tied to his laces are a great asset. Combine that with a left foot that often has a brain of its own and you get one superstar of a talented footballer.

LAM: David Silva – With a footballing supercomputer for a brain, Silva is often capable of computing angles and trajectories most people wouldn’t have seen if someone had drawn it on a chalkboard and shown to them. Combine that intelligence with the Spaniard’s wicked left foot, and you have a player who wreaks havoc in opposition defences where he ends up floating across the business end of the pitch. His trademark pinpoint passing make him a striker’s fantasy made true.

Forward Line

CF: Radamel Falcao – The Colombian superstar with a seemingly insatiable hunger for goals comes to Manchester with a huge reputation and the numbers to prove it. Scoring across Europe, Falcao’s pace, physical presence, aerial ability and sublime finishing make him a terrifying prospect for defenders everwhere.

CF: Sergio Aguero – Where Aguero goes, goals follow. With a remarkable nose for goals, the Argentine superstar scores by the bucketloads (if his hamstrings hold up that is). Deadly in the penalty box, his low center of gravity and incredible close control make him a nightmare for defenders to handle as he twists and turns his way into our Mancunian combined XI

Substitutes – Joe Hart (Man City), Martin Dimichelis (Man City), Phil Jones (Man United), Fernando (Man City), Juan Mata (Man United), Robin van Persie (Man United), Wayne Rooney (Man United)

Ideal formation: 4-2-2-2 (with Silva and Di Maria given license to roam)

Manager

Manuel Pelligrini – As great a coach as Louis van Gaal is, the classy Chilean pips him to the post – just – by virtue of his previous success in the nation, chemistry with the majority of the starting eleven and for the sheer genius of his managerial ability. Man City at times last season looked like they could rip apart anyone on their day – slick passing and constant off the ball movement making them an unpredictable and intense opponent – in the mould of any classic Pellegrini side.

The Manchester XI