Kicking off this weekend’s action in the Premier League is arguably the most hotly-anticipated fixture of the season – the Manchester Derby.
Indeed, since Sheikh ownership revolutionised Manchester City into a trophy-chasing powerhouse, the derby with Manchester United has decided either Champions League qualification or the Premier League title race practically every season.
But the appointments of Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho, two philosophically juxtaposing managers whose rivalry stems back to their days together at Barcelona, has made the Manchester Derby all the more intense.
In theory, United enter the 12.30pm kickoff as the favourites because they boast the home advantage. But it’s City who’ve come out the best in recent encounters, winning three of the last six compared to United’s two victories.
So it’s crucial Mourinho picks the right starting XI for Saturday’s game but for such an important fixture, there’s plenty of big decisions to make.
With that in mind and being the helpful bunch we are at Football FanCast, we’ve come up with the United XI that WILL beat City in the Manchester Derby.
GOALKEEPER – DAVID DE GEA
Arguably the top shot-stopper in world football, David De Gea could decide Saturday’s scoreline single-handed. Indeed, even if City break through United’s defence, they’ll still have to beat the Spain international.
RIGHT-BACK – ANTONIO VALENCIA
Antonio Valencia’s enjoyed a strong start to the season at right-back and although Jose Mourinho may be tempted to utilise a more defensive option against City, the converted winger seems certain to start.
CENTRE-BACK – CHRIS SMALLING
Daley Blind’s been fantastic during the opening weeks of the season but fully rested after the international break, now’s the time to bring Chris Smalling back in. The England defender was a beast last season and he could forge a formidable partnership with Eric Bailly.
CENTRE-BACK – ERIC BAILLY
Manchester United’s £30million signing has hit the ground running at Old Trafford and is already one of the first names on the team-sheet. The 22-year-old’s lack of experience is a concern but he’s got the pace and power to handle City’s Kelechi Iheanacho.
LEFT-BACK – LUKE SHAW
We’ve always known about Luke Shaw’s ability – it’s just a matter of him staying fit. The left-back pulled out of Sam Allardyce’s first England squad but that appears to have been a precautionary measure with the Manchester Derby in mind.
CENTRAL MIDFIELD – MAROUANE FELLAINI
Jose Mourinho is getting more out of Marouane Fellaini than any of his predecessors, utilising the Belgian battering ram as a simple-yet-effective shield for the back four. Michael Carrick’s experience would be useful in the engine room on Saturday but Fellaini’s aerial threat at set pieces could prove the difference come the final whistle.
CENTRAL MIDFIELD – PAUL POGBA
The Red Devils paid the best part of £90million exactly for Paul Pogba to dominate games like this. Indeed, the Manchester Derby will be the biggest audition of the Frenchman’s United career thus far and the world expects him to deliver.
RIGHT WING – HENRIKH MKHITARYAN
Juan Mata’s performed well on the right-hand side this season but the timing feels right for Henrikh Mkhitaryan to make his first start in the Premier League – provided he’s recovered from an injury suffered on international duty. His pace and netting prowess could prove decisive on the counter-attack if City push up too high.
ATTACKING MIDFIELD – WAYNE ROONEY
Wayne Rooney’s already forged a working partnership with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and the veteran forwards appear to be on the same wave length. Having the United skipper just behind the Swedish front-man allows him to pick up pockets of space and drift wide.
LEFT WING – MARCUS RASHFORD
After bagging the winner against Hull City and scoring a hat-trick on his debut for England U21s, the calls for Marcus Rashford to start this Saturday are growing increasingly louder. That may have to come at the expense of Anthony Martial; he’s not been up to speed this season and playing on the left will give Rashford the chance to cut inside.
STRIKER – ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC
Who else but Zlatan? The 34-year-old already boasts three goals in three Premier League appearances and will be determined to add to his tally upon facing Pep Guardiola, the manager he infamously fell out with at Barcelona.