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Manchester Derby Combined XI Featuring 6 Stars From Manchester United And 5 Stars From Manchester City

Manchester United will have a chance to reassert their authority again in Manchester and in the Premier League since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson in Sunday’s Manchester derby. United are currently third in the table while their City rivals sit pretty on top. United’s season has been filled with ups and downs, whenever they show signs of consistency a defeat comes their way. City, on the other hand, are struggling with injuries to their key players right now but unlike the past where they have capitulated under the weight of such key absentees, this time around with £100 million spent on two young attackers in the summer, they will hope the situation is fairly different.

Here is a combined XI of Manchester United and Manchester City.

Goalkeeper: David De Gea

David de gea
David de gea

The Manchester United keeper narrowly beats Hart to take his position between the sticks in our combined XI. De Gea has been superb for United since his move to Real Madrid broke down at the last minute this summer. His shot-stopping abilities along with his quick reflexes make him one the best keepers in the world if not the best.

Defense: Aleksandar Kolarov, Kompany, Chris Smalling and Matteo Darmian

Smalling has been excellent this season under Van Gaal, producing good performances week after week and he will partner City captain Kompany in the middle of the defense. Kompany who has been a rock for City at the back for the past 3-4 years, has had to settle for the place on the bench recently, but we could see him being recalled in the starting XI for this crunch tie. Apart from last weekend’s 5-1 victory over Bournemouth, Kolarov has only missed seven minutes of football for City this season and has been in inspired form. Darmian has settled in marvellously and has been one of United’s best players of the season. Zabaleta would have made it difficult to select the backline had it not been for his injuries.

Midfield: Yaya Toure, Kevin De Bruyne, Sterling, Juan Mata and Morgan Schneiderlin

raheem sterling
raheem sterling

United and City both have an array of attacking talent in their squad, hence it’s very difficult to just choose five. Yaya finds his way in the starting 11 due to his sheer physical ability. Although he was dramatically off-form last season, his regular self has returned this year. Partnering Toure at the base of the midfield is United’s summer signing Schneiderlin, he might not have reached his peak yet at United but is definitely more reliable than others. De Bruyne has appeared to look at home since returning to the Premier League from Wolfsburg. He was under a lot of pressure to justify his huge price tag, but the Belgian has more than lived up to the pre-season hype with both goals and assists. Mata has been by far and away United’s best player this season and after resting him for two matches, LVG will look at Mata to provide that creative spark from the middle against City. Sterling is in top form right now, having scored a hat-trick last weekend. This will be Sterling biggest test since his big money move to Manchester in the summer. With Silva missing out through injury, this is his chance to become a fan favorite instantly.

Forward: Anthony Martial

Anthony Martial
Martial

The most expensive teenager in the history has done well to silence the critics to some extent with his performances this season. With five goals in nine matches, there is no doubt that Martial is one for the future. His speed and direct running can hurt an inconsistent City backline on Sunday. He has already scored important goals against Southampton and CSKA Moscow.