This weekend, the Premier League prepares for a true clash of the titans, as the first edition of the much anticipated Mancunian derby kicks off on Sunday (12:30 GMT / 7:30 E/T). This fixture pits the current league leaders, Manchester City against the most successful team in Britain, and current holders of the BPL crown, Manchester United.
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United have dominated the lion's share of victories in statistics, but one must acknowledge that Man City are looking beyond history and stats, they're fixated on the present - the now, which is to snatch all three points from under United's noses at their own formidable fortress.
| Competition | City wins | Draws | United wins |
|---|---|---|---|
| League | 37 | 49 | 58 |
| FA Cup | 3 | 0 | 5 |
| League Cup | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| Community Shield | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Total | 43 | 50 | 67 |
Tactics
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Roberto Mancini - As a typical Italian manager who habitually approaches these types of games by congesting the midfield, it is expected that he does so again, but with more strength and steel in his selection, as he is arriving at the feet of his fiercest rivals at the "Theatre of Dreams", where these dreams are rather feverish nightmares for the away teams.
Mancini can be expected to use a five man midfield with the likes of Barry and De Jong (if fit) holding deep, while Nasri, Toure and Silva diffuse across the offense. With Barry and De Jong holding the midfield, they will be expected to decimate all potential attacking plays, but to also provide support for others, to allow the team to retain possession. With a trio of Nasri, Toure and Silva, the transition from defence to attack is made smoother. Toure will be dropping deep to then carry the ball into the offence, dictating the overall pace of City. Nasri and Silva will be instant attacking outlets for Toure, ready to inflict serious wounds on any faltering United defender. To lead the attack, it can be none other than their in form striker Kun Aguerro. He will have to be sharp and unforgiving to his former Atletico Madrid team mate David De Gea, as the task of providing the goals rest on his shoulders.
City is typically a strong defensive team, however, despite them scoring as much as I did back in college, they will be expected to find it hard to breach the United defence. This will be Mancini and his boys' first real test and they will be fully focused on limiting United's scoring chances.
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Sir Alex Ferguson - The headmaster in the school of these type of matches, is more than expected to have a few tricks up his sleeve. It is known that not many people on earth, let alone managers in the game are able to predict a SAF line-up, as he recycles and manipulates it so often.
However, I'm certain that United will be going for City's jugular in what can be a vintage United attacking display; they will be cautious, but will make certain that they are the team controlling the game. Living on the edge with a high line and blistering counter attacks, whilst always defending as a unit. Each player will be putting in a shift to match the hard working Lela Starr (wink, nudge, wink), and will be well aware of the dangers of their noisy neighbours.
Ferguson will learn from his latest encounter with City in the Community Shield, where United started very slowly and City took a 2-0 lead, to be cautious, as City poses a threat from all over the pitch. United's main asset to hurt City will be from the wings, and I'm sure the city wing backs are going to have one hell of an afternoon if Young and Nani get the nod.
Probable Line ups
Manchester United
De Gea
Chris Smalling Rio Ferdinand Nemanja Vidic Partice Evra
Darren Fletcher Michael Carrick Anderson
Nani Wayne Rooney Ashley Young
I think Fergie will disperse a three man midfield to compete with City's tight midfield. This should grant them the opportunity to retain some possession on their home turf and to also absorb and break up any attacks. They can then distribute the ball out wide to utilise the pace of Young and Nani to begin a trademark counter, or they can provide width if things need to be slowed down.
With the omnipresent Wayne Rooney, United can expect goals, as he will be on hand to put anything away or, to simply link with an attack lead by either Nani or Young. With Anderson and Fletcher's beastly stamina, they will provide the movement which will be crucial for United in helping them win the ball back and to also gain momentum in the attack against an extremely strong defensive unit.
Man City
Joe Hart
Micah Richards Vincent Kompany Joleon Lescott Gael Clichy
Gareth Barry Nigel De Jong
David Silva Yaya Toure Samir Nasri
Kun Aguero
This is a very strong and balanced line up for City and it also has every ingredient to cause United havoc. The midfield is strong physically, with enough pace and strength to combat Anderson and Fletcher's energy and movement. With Silva, Nasri and Aguero United's defence will have to be on their toes all game long.
Predicted Result:
Manchester United 2 -1 Manchester City
Old Trafford is the most daunting stadium to travel to in England, and as previously mentioned, not many teams win here. City would be happy if they could take a draw home and stay on top, but I believe United will pull out with the win somehow - as they somehow so oftenly do in front of their beloved supporters and go top, leaving the title race wide open once again.
Share your opinion with us and don't forget to pick your team in the comments section!
