The battle for Manchester resumes this Sunday, as Manchester United travel east across Mancunian Way to the Etihad Stadium to face Manchester City. Even though Red versus Blue may be the starkest of contrasts, both teams come into the game in similar states. Both have new managers, both secured strong opening victories in the Champions League, and each team has gathered seven points in the English Premier League, with comprehensive wins followed by stuttering performances (City's draw with Stoke City and United's loss to Liverpool come to mind).
Although this game comes relatively early in the fixture list, with victory unlikely to amount to a fatal blow for the loser, each team will be confident of putting one over on their rivals.
Team News
Manchester United: David Moyes earned his first win at Old Trafford against Crystal Palace last Saturday, and swiftly followed that up with a 4-2 win against Bayer Leverkusen in Group A of the Champions League. The team he selected against Leverkusen was an exciting mixture of attacking strength and defensive solidity, and had Moyes' players not conspired to miss two golden chances and commit individual errors they could have easily finished 6-1 winners. Expect to see a largely unchanged side against City, with Wayne Rooney especially finding some of his best form in recent months. If Moyes does keep his side intact, it will mean a third game in eight days for Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand, both of whom are getting long in the tooth. Another area of uncertainty is sure to be the left flank, where Shinji Kagawa had a mixed showing against Leverkusen; much of the German team's offensive success came down United's left side, where Kagawa failed to assist Patrice Evra. Nani, and (as much as United fans are loath to consider it) Ashley Young are available for selection at that position. Danny Welbeck and Rafael may be able to return on Sunday following recovery from injuries, but neither player will be rushed.
Manchester City: Following a stuttering 0-0 draw against Stoke City, City was able to start off their Champions League campaign with a comprehensive away win against Viktoria Plzen, with Yaya Toure scoring an incredible solo goal. Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero were the other two scorers and Manuel Pellegrini will likely elect to keep both strikers in his lineup; Dzeko and Aguero provide two unique styles at the forward position and compliment each other well. The midfield battle on Sunday is sure to be exciting, with United suddenly having a player in Marouane Fellaini who can stand up physically to Yaya Toure (although Toure unquestionably has more innate skill). Toure and Fernandinho remain Pellegrini's preferred pairing, but the wide positions for this game are more uncertain. Evra has struggled against pacy players before, so Jesus Navas should start on the right. Whether Pellegrini can afford to keep Samir Nasri is a different story; James Milner, who has played well against United in the past (he scored City's opener at Old Trafford last season) may be a surprise inclusion to help Aleksandar Kolarov contain Antonio Valencia's aggressive play down City's left flank. David Silva is a doubt having failed to fully recover from a thigh injury picked up on international duty, while Vincent Kompany's return to central defense is a definite boost.
Match Preview
Last year, Robin van Persie settled an engrossing encounter at the Etihad with a stoppage-time free kick, sending United fans into raptures and prompting unseemly scenes: Rio Ferdinand was struck with a coin thrown from the stands and Joe Hart had to stop an enraged City fan from making it to the United defender on the field. City was able to exact some measure of revenge with a win at Old Trafford, but by then United had all but officially sewn up the Premier League title. This derby has been especially volatile in the past three years, with recent score-lines of 6-1, 3-2, and 2-1 showing that goals are to be expected on Sunday. With teams so evenly matched all across the field, the game may come down to individual battles. As mentioned earlier, Fellaini and Toure is one of these: Fellaini demonstrated against Bayer Leverkusen the ability to provide defensive cover against forward attacks, something that Toure is renowned for. Wing play will also be integral: crossing from wide areas is the foundation for United's attacking impetus, while Jesus Navas has given City a dimension from the flank that they lacked under the leadership of Roberto Mancini. Fullbacks on both teams will have a tough time contributing to both attack and defense in equal measure. Finally, the final score-line may rest on which player or players take their opportunities: last year, Wayne Rooney gave United a 2-0 lead at half after City were much the better team. In games like these where clear chances are difficult to come by, decisive striking is paramount.
Likely Line-Ups
United: De Gea, Smalling, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Valencia, Carrick, Fellaini, Nani, Rooney, Van Persie
City: Hart, Zabaleta, Nastasic, Kompany, Kolarov, Navas, Toure, Fernandinho, Milner, Aguero, Dzeko
Prediction
This game has had plenty of goals recently, so a 0-0 draw looks unlikely. Whether either team can earn victory is another story. 2-2. source -
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