Man Utd v MAN CITY: The PREVIEW – City’s Probable Team
21 Oct
Fancy a flutter? Wayne Rooney to score first and United to win 2-1 is very tempting at 33/1, whilst the first goal to come from a penalty, bearing in mind the controversial Mark Clattenburg is in charge, has the fantastic odds of 12/1. In addition, Mario Balotelli to score from outside the box, considering his penchant for long range shots and David De Gea’s vulnerability, is hugely tempting at 18/1. Feel confident that you can predict the outcome? Got an instinct who will score first? Click HERE to bet on the game.
Hyperbole is an interesting word. Defined as an extreme exaggeration for emphasis, few could argue that it would be a hyperbole to describe this Manchester derby as the most important in its recent history. A title decider it is not, but an absolutely vital match, it most definitely is.
We’re top of the table heading into this game, a position which will hopefully become the norm for us as time progresses. Whether or not that has a psychological effect on the players, it remains to be seen, but it’s a great feeling for the fans. And the momentum gained from the Villarreal win is crucial. Had Sergio Aguero not scored in the 94th minute, the build up to this game would have been far more negative, focusing on the downsides from Tuesday’s game, rather than looking forward to Sunday’s match. It’s a huge fixture, the importance of which cannot be overstated, and we’ve finally got a squad that can not only compete with United, but defeat them.
With regards to team selection, my gut feeling is that Roberto Mancini will limit his carefree abandon approach that has seen us sweep aside numerous teams this season and will strengthen the midfield. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Nigel De Jong and Gareth Barry occupy the holding positions, with Yaya Touré operating slightly further forward, his pace and power sure to cause havoc. In defence, Micah Richards and Gael Clichy should both return in place of Pablo Zabaleta and Aleks Kolarov, and the extra pace of the former duo will be key against the likes of Ashley Young and Nani.
If Mancini does select the afore-mentioned central three in midfield, he will be left with a tough decision as to who plays in attack. David Silva is a certainty, but whilst many expect Sergio Aguero to start, on current form, Mario Balotelli has to play. The Italian has been superb recently and his goalscoring ability, in addition to the fact that Aguero looked woefully unfit against Villarreal, means that, in my opinion at least, Balotelli should start.
That would leave Adam Johnson, Samir Nasri and James Milner competing for one place and I expect Mancini to give the Frenchman the nod. I would prefer Milner though, as his workrate, combined with his stunning form in the past few games, would edge out Nasri’s passiveness and recent lethargy.
This is the side I would like to see, though Mancini will probably replace Milner with either Nasri or Aguero.
As much as I despise them, there is no denying United are a quality side. Javier Hernandez and the repulsive Wayne Rooney will be a huge threat to our defence and Nani and Young have been on top form so far. However, that said, they are vulnerable at the back and their reluctance to operate with a holding midfielder should give our creative forces plenty of space in which to weave their magic. David De Gea has improved of late, but won’t remember facing City too fondly after his howler in the Community Shield allowed Edin Dzeko to score.
Referee: Mark Clattenburg – As soon as his appointment was announced, I worried. He’s a referee who loves the limelight and he will want to be the centre of attention. Don’t be surprised to see him give a controversial decision late in the game and grab the headlines. That said, in the last eighteen City games he’s officiated, we’ve won eleven and only lost once.
Prediction: Man Utd 2 – 1 MAN CITY – I can’t make my mind up whether it will be this score or 1-1, but if I predict negatively, then if we do return from Old Trafford with anything, I’ll view it as a bonus! It will be close, cagier than many expect and full of tension. Goals to be scored by Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez and Mario Balotelli.
Fancy a flutter? Wayne Rooney to score first and United to win 2-1 is very tempting at 33/1, whilst the first goal to come from a penalty, bearing in mind the controversial Mark Clattenburg is in charge, has the fantastic odds of 12/1. In addition, Mario Balotelli to score from outside the box, considering his penchant for long range shots and David De Gea’s vulnerability, is hugely tempting at 18/1. Feel confident that you can predict the outcome? Got an instinct who will score first? Click HERE to bet on the game.
Well, I understand your caution TO A POINT! However despite your uncertainty I am embarassed a City website can predict a United win and name the scorers!!! Lets lie down and beg, they may give us the scraps… Obviously you wern’t at the petrol station at Whitworth Park in ’74.
Couldn’t agree more with the team selection, Nasri has not been that impressive plus Milner is industrious and has defensive capabilities. I must also say that i have a good feeling about this game for the first time in a long time. Whether that is for a draw or more i don’t know but we just need luck to fall on our side.
Something that has been worrying me though is all this talk of the free flowing football we are meant to be playing, whilst its great to watch against Swansea i would urge for caution in trying to play United at their own game. Our defensive solidity last season was much maligned but also served us greatly.
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…”in addition to the fact that Aguero looked woefully unfit against Villarreal,”
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Come on fella, even blog journalism shouldn’t offer up an unsubstantiated opinion and describe it as a fact!
The back four should be a given for this game. I happen to rate all of our 4 FB’s pretty much equally, they each have different but equally important qualities, but all of them have some short comings, who doesn’t? Zaba is a better defender than Micah in the main and has better concentration, he has leadership qualities too, whilst Aleks is a genuine threat adding width in attack. The Rags however, have excellent wingers, quick and tricky, they can change a game in an instant. Pace is the key, we will need FB’s with pace and tenacity and that should seal it for Micah and Clichy.
Your call on the mid field is almost certanly correct; DJ and Barry together are a good combination. DJ has the warrior instinct and ability to disrupt, regain possession and find a blue shirt, and this combined with Barry’s usually unappreciated expertise at intervening efectively when needs be, picking up the pieces and linking up the play, buys time for a back four that is now better than adequate, better than competent and usually very dependable. It does depend a lot on Kompo’s presence though and on the effectiveness of the two DMF’s. Mancini has built sound foundations.
YYT has impressive Opta stats in all areas of passing; that is quantity and completion percentage, short and long and as you say, his physical presence is likely to cause real problems for a less than convincing United defence.
I’ve though for some time that Silva and Nasri are probably an ‘either or’ rather than a duo. When togethjer it all gets a bit Arsenesque, all passing and probing, no end product. Silva is being over played and long term that could be a problem.
Again I agree with you re Balotelli, he must play, he is on fire just as Dzeko was when he was benched for a period and went off the boil. Aguero or Milner to start? Tough call, if you are right in your opinion that Kun is not fully fit then he should not start, but I saw a bit of rustiness against VR and in his short time on the Park, no lack of fitness, so what’s the call…..?
Kun is so effective, and has such a good interaction with Silva, that the overwhelming feeling is to start him, but I’m minded that he is equally effective as a late game changer. That’s a tough call and I can’t make my mind up without knowing the actual physical condition of the maestro. If he was held back for the Derby, as I suspect may be the case, he will play. If he really should not start through lack of fitness then Milner is a sound replacement in his current form. He’s a very different kind of player for sure, but very effective, great engine, great example and has been a bit of a ‘rain maker’ of late.
A bit different from the days when the discussion might have been, “Fat Bob Taylor or Jamie Pollard – discuss?”
I was confident of a 3-2 win until Clatterburke was put in charge. There will be many “iffy” decisions given: count on a dogy penalty, YaYa getting sent off and 6 minutes of fergie-time for them to clinch winner!
Agree with most of your selection but would pick Milner for DJ, Aguero to partner Balotelli with YaYa supporting. Probably play with a little caution and try and catch them on the break?
I just find it so hard to call. They have won 19 on the trot at home, we’ve only managed 1 draw in 6 against them since the take over. Another monkey to get off our back?
That lineups a little too cautious for me. I’d do
Hart
Richards-Kompany-Lescott-Clichy
De Jong — Milner
Silva-Yaya-Aguero
Balotelli
That is the line up I pick! spot on
Id rather play Kolarov for clichy….nani has almost on all occasions screwed up clichy pretty bad..midfield has been uniteds weakness so I would put toure de jong and nasri …attackin against the mid of anderson and Fletcher with silva aguero and Milner with balotelli as sub
I would have predicted this too, but luckily, we won 6-1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!