3 Things Manchester United Must Do To Beat Manchester City
Jose Mourinho will be a happy man as his side managed to take all three points from a tricky trip to the Turf Moor at the weekend. But it does not get any easy as they are back in action just days later, in one of the most awaited matches in the domestic season, the Manchester derby. The manager will not accept anything less than a victory in this game and they are sure to go for the kill on the night. The Red Devils are now undefeated in their last 22 games in the Premier League and stand as one of the most consistent teams in England. But can they continue their form in this derby? Here are three things that United need to do at Old Trafford to stay undefeated after this game:
Buy some bubble wrap for Eric Bailly
Phil Jones and Chris Smalling are no closer to a return while Marcos Rojo picked up a fresh injury. This saw Mourinho use Daley blind to partner Eric Bailly at the back last game. Blind is not the best in that position but it was Bailly’s organisation that gave United a clean sheet at Turf Moor. He is now the most valuable player in the squad and United just cannot afford to lose him to an injury during practice or in a game. Surely, Mourinho must have asked Bailly to even sleep in a bubble wrap.
Integrate Wayne Rooney into the first team
The Manchester United skipper Wayne Rooney was back into the first team after quite a while and got himself on the scoresheet in less than 45 minutes. He doubled the lead for United at Turf Moor and put in a solid performance as United saw off the home side without Zlatan Ibrahimović, the scorer in chief this season. Zlatan is the top goal scorer for United and will surely be missed for the rest of the season. So it is time for Rooney to step up and become the talisman in the squad, in the absence of the Swede.
Keep the midfield intact
Though Michael Carrick has always been dependable, Mourinho has used Ander Herrera, Marouane Fellaini and Paul Pogba in a midfield three in the last few games and to good effect. The trio has been impeccable playing together, complementing each other and it clear that they are now the first choice for Mourinho. It will be important for the manager to keep the trio together for as many games as possible as it will only increase the chemistry and allow them to dominate the midfield in most games.
