MAN CITY v Manchester United – The PREVIEW: City’s Probable Team
1 Nov
After being rested for the Capital One Cup, Joe Hart, Pablo Zabaleta and Vincent Kompany will return to defensive position for the derby, with the main selection issue being that of Kompany’s central partner. Eliaquim Mangala will surely be the long-term option at the back, but as he has struggled to settle down and looked all over the place in midweek against Newcastle, the experience and composure of Martin Demichelis may get the nod.
A personal choice would be to operate with three midfielders, with Yaya Touré pushed further forward into his more advanced role, but Pellegrini is likely to see it differently. He strictly adheres to an attacking principle, so is likely to partner Sergio Aguero with Edin Dzeko. In the absence of David Silva, Samir Nasri should slot straight into the side. Jesus Navas and Milner are competing for one pace.
Here is the side Pellegrini may select, although I guess many fans would choose differently:
Referee: Michael Oliver.
Prediction: MAN CITY 3 – 3 Manchester United – Both attacks will fancy their chances against vulnerable defences and the feeling is that this could be a high-scoring, and for the neutral entertaining, encounter. David Silva’s absence is a huge blow and that, along with City’s lack of confidence at the moment, even matters up. I’ll back goals to be scored by Jesus Navas, a brace from Sergio Aguero, Angel Di Maria, Robin Van Persie and Wayne Rooney.
I’d rather play with 10 men than play Dzeko
We can’t play the ball out of defence with four men in midfield: it leaves the back four with a limited distribution choice. Teams know this and turn ball over in dangerous areas
United will be happy and encourage City to use the left flank because Kolorov’s distribution is awful
Put five in midfield and play Augero on his own and we will batter them; play the team above and City will get battered.
I totally agree. Dzeko is a complete liability. I’ve been appalled with Dzeko ever since we got him. He’s not world class and never will be. If he starts tomorrow we are sunk, if we start with Aguero on his own upfront we have a really good chance of winning.
Meh… toothless. Get Milner and Fernandinho in there for Dzeko and Navas and you’ve got yourself a team.
Jovetic on at some point and potentially in place of Nasri.
Whatever team Pelle puts out it will be too good for the mid table Stretfords. I predict a 3-0 result.
Rooney will be looking forward to this game, he has only played for England since his red card and will be fresh, City need to contain him but also keep a close mark on RVP. If we can ruffle Rooney’s feathers and he gets booked, he will not want to commit to any tackles. Mangala and Dzeko can stay at home, we don’t need any part timers in this game. Dzeko is good with his head and first time strikes, but he is less than useless if he try’s to control it, his first touch is always awful and even with Utd’s sorry defence we need skill up front and as we know Kun as an enormous amount of that. I’m going City 3 sorry rags (utd) 1.