COMBINED XI: MAN CITY/MAN UTD
- Harry Ebbrell
- Nov 11, 2018
- 3 min read
It's derby day in Manchester! Champions Manchester City take on neighbours Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium.
City went top of the league last weekend with an emphatic 6-1 win over Southampton, whilst United left it late to beat Bournemouth 2-1.
A win for Pep Guardiola's City will see them maintain their grip on top spot, whereas victory for the Red Devils could put them within a point of the Champions League places.
Some world-class talent will be on show, from both teams, making our job very difficult; to try and combine the two into one team!
GK: Ederson (Manchester City)
Drafted in by Pep last summer, Ederson made an immediate impact at the Etihad, accumulating 16 clean sheets as City won the title.
The Brazilian 'keeper has shown no sign of losing his form this season, leading the clean sheets table with seven.
His Old Trafford counterpart David De Gea is undoubtedly one of the best goalkeepers in the world, but with just one clean sheet to his name this season, it would be unfair to include him over Ederson.
RB: Kyle Walker (Manchester City)
Following his move from Tottenham, Walker immediately became a fan favourite at City, totalling six assists from right-back and contributing to one of the Premier League's meanest defences.
Whilst not as prolific in terms of assists, Walker has impressed defensively again this season on the right side of Pep's backline.
CB: John Stones (Manchester City)
The epitome of a ball-playing centre-half, Stones' ability to play out from the back , coupled with his solid defensive work, has seen him establish himself in the heart of City's defence.
Stones has edged ahead of both Vincent Kompany and Nicolas Otamendi in the pecking order to become a first-choice defensive option.
CB: Aymeric Laporte (Manchester City)
Considering United's defensive woes this season, it is no surprise to see a very much blue defence. However, away from United's worries, Laporte has very much earned his place in this XI on merit.
After failing to make a big impact following his £57m move from Bilbao in January, the Frenchman has come on leaps and bounds this season and formed a formidable partnership with Stones at the back.
LB: Luke Shaw (Manchester United)
Following a nightmarish injury suffered in 2015, Shaw has finally broke back into the
United side and revitalised his career.
The Englishman has put in some excellent performances for the Red Devils this term, and was rewarded with a new long-term contract last month.
RM: Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)
Sterling played a phenomenal part in Pep's centurion side last season, scoring 18 goals, and has showed no signs of letting up this time around - his tally standing at six goals so far.
His preparations for the derby have been nearing sensational, scoring a brace against Southampton last week and putting in another fine shift against Shakhtar in midweek.
LCM: David Silva (Manchester City)
Despite moving past the age of 30, City's own 'El Mago' continues to turn in exceptional performances in midfield.
Whilst he doesn't score masses of goals, his on-the-ball work and his excellent passing ability see him consistently run the show for City.
RCM: Paul Pogba (Manchester United)
Pogba was a player who came under fierce amounts of criticism for his poor start to life back at Old Trafford, but his performances for United this season have began to silence these critics.
With three goals and three assists to his name already this term, the French midfielder could be the star of the show in the derby.
LM: Anthony Martial (Manchester United)
United's talismanic winger has been in fine fettle this season, especially throughout the last month, and is perhaps the Red Devil most deserving of a place in this XI.
Martial has scored five goals in his last five league matches and without his goals, United would've dropped seven points since the start of October.
ST: Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)
As is the case every season, Aguero has been in blistering form. With seven goals already this season, he'll be looking to increase his tally and set the derby alight.
Taking into account his scoring form in Manchester derbies, the Argentine could well be the player to watch.
ST: Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)
Following his injury-time winner at Dean Court last weekend, Rashford has now scored two added-time winners for United.
This trait could be of vital importance in a derby match, and his impressive return of 19 goals in his United career make him a potent threat for the Old Trafford side.
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