Midfield
CDM – Fernandinho
CDM – Yaya Toure
RAM – David Silva
LAM – Samir Nasri
While City’s other four new additions – Demichelis, Jesus Navas, Stevan Jovetic and Alvaro Negredo have enjoyed indifferent seasons, Fernandinho has been the sole constant in Manuel Pellegrini’s XI and has given the side that much needed balance, allowing Yaya Toure to surge forward into attacking areas without worrying about sizeable defensive gaps behind him.
Yaya Toure has been City’s best player this season and seems to be revelling in the new attacking role that he has been playing in, thanks to the arrival of a solid defensive shield in the form of Fernandinho. Needless to say, no United player really staked a decisive claim. Michael Carrick is not the force he once was, Fellaini has barely warmed up to the prospect of turning out week-in week-out for a club like United, and Cleverley is more famous for a petition than his displays on the field.
David Silva continues to dazzle us with his sublime touches and exquisite passes, although the consistency he displayed in City’s title winning campaign has been lacking. But with Juan Mata just bedding in at United, and Januzaj being unleashed in installments, Silva just about gets the nod.
Samir Nasri has reignited his career at Manchester City after being out of favour with former manager Roberto Mancini last season. Nasri’s sparkling displays this season, born predominantly out of his intelligent movement, creative instincts and a ruthlessness in front of goal, earns the Frenchman a place ahead of teammate Jesus Navas.
Strikers
CF – Wayne Rooney
ST – Sergio Aguero
Wayne Rooney has to be in this combined XI as he is a much more complete footballer compared to Robin van Persie, Alvaro Negredo or Edin Dzeko. Rooney’s 17 goals and 22 assists in all competitions in a troubled campaign for United still proves there is fire in his belly to lead a United revival.
City may have had goals from their other frontline strikers, but Argentine striker Sergio Aguero remains their most valuable asset in front of goal. Injuries has hampered his progress and his influence on a City side who look more like a one-dimensional attacking unit than the juggernaut of an attacking force they are with Aguero on the team sheet.