Man Utd vs Man City: 5 Key Battles That Will Decide The Match

4. Samir Nasri v Rafael

Nasri has drawn a lot of criticism for his performances in the blue of the Citizens this season, most notably from his own manager recently. But the Frenchman looks to have put the negative remarks behind him, after he played a starring role in City€™s 4-0 drubbing of Newcastle last weekend. Nasri can be a dangerous player when he is in form, and Sir Alex will be quick to point out the threat that he can pose to United€™s defence. The onus will be on Rafael to keep Nasri quiet on Monday night, and United could not ask for a better player to do so. Like Nasri, Rafael drew a lot of criticism for his performances earlier on in the season, but as the campaign has progressed, the young Brazilian has flourished into one of the best right-backs in the league, with his efforts in a United shirt garnering him praise from both players and pundits alike. This battle will be a fascinating one, and could be key in deciding which side of Manchester the three points will end up.