Only 4 Man United Stars Make It – The Manchester Dream XI For The 2013-14 Season

On each of the last three seasons, the Premier League title has ended up in Manchester, but the odds are heavily stacked against a repeat of that feat. Liverpool lead the table by 2 points from Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea, and with City having fallen off the pace with a 2-2 draw against Sunderland midweek and United enduring a torrid transitional campaign, the two Manchester giants will have their work cut out next season, although City, mathematically at least, still remain in the title hunt.

Only four United players have made my ‘Manchester Dream XI’ for this season, an indication of United’s struggles this season. Have your favorite players made it to the list? Read on to find out.

Goalkeeper – David De Gea

Spanish stopper David De Gea has made his doubters choke on humble pie with a fantastic season in the United goal. De Gea has looked more assured in dealing with the high ball, and has shown enough signs he is developing into a big-match performer. Be it that double save against Olympiakos or that stunning save against Luis Suarez in the 3-0 drubbing at Old Trafford, De Gea’s incredible form has been let down by his defence’s ineptitude.

Defence

RB – Pablo Zabaleta
CB – Vincent Kompany
CB- Nemanja Vidic
LB – Patrice Evra

Little doubt on who would be the right back in a combined Manchester XI, arguably the easiest choice of the lot. Argentine international Pablo Zabaleta is the bastion of steadiness in the right back position. Extremely useful going forward and equally diligent defensively.

Vincent  Kompany may have made a mess of that volleyed clearance to arguably gift Liverpool the title at Anfield on Sunday, but the Belgian centre half continues to set lofty standards at the heart of City’s defence.

Martin Demichelis is far too slow in covering the ground and has been culpable for some amateurish defending – namely in the Champions League against Barcelona and the shock exit at the hands of Wigan in the FA Cup. And despite United skipper Nemanja Vidic’s best days being behind him, the battle ready Serbian is a much safer bet than the hapless and sometimes embarrassing Demichelis.

Gael Clichy has been a defensive liability, while Kolarov’s attacking prowess is only bettered by Patrice Evra’s marauding runs down United’s left flank, a glimpse of that was there for all to see against Bayern at the Allianz last week. Although Evra’s defensive discipline has often come under the scanner in recent times, the United full back is still a more reliable choice than either of City’s left backs.

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.