The pick of the games this weekend in the Premier League sees Manchester City host city rivals Manchester United at the Etihad stadium. And a Manchester derby never disappoints.
Chelsea at home followed by City away, with a trip to the Emirates Stadium on the horizon is a daunting and testing run of fixtures. It will be an examination of the strength and character of the entire squad, not just the starting XI, and Louis van Gaal has a few selection dilemmas ahead of this weekend’s derby.
City are in a poor run of form. Having squandered a two-goal lead in Russia, they have lost their last two domestic games as well, the most recent of which was a 0-2 defeat at home to Newcastle United in the Capital One Cup.
More damaging than the defeat was perhaps the injury sustained by David Silva, making him a doubt for the game on Sunday. He will be a massive loss for the home side but nevertheless, without him City are still likely to line-up in their usual 4-4-2 system.
Midfielder Yaya Toure also picked up a groin problem in the League Cup defeat to Newcastle United, but he is expected to be available for Sunday lunchtime’s game.
It was City who came away with the bragging rights last season, with the Premier League Champions winning 4-1 at the Etihad and 3-0 at Old Trafford respectively.
Manager Manuel Pellegrini said: “He is a very important player but I always say the same thing; we have a squad. We have to replace him with another player because every team has different problems with their players.”
Commenting on Sunday’s game with United, Pellegrini told his pre-match press conference: “On Sunday it will be City v United and last year was the same. It was not me v Moyes and this time it’s not me v Van Gaal.
“For supporters it’s a special game and we know that. We know what it means to win against Manchester United.”
Nothing has changed in that regard; as the stats suggest Manchester City remain the team to beat. Manuel Pellegrini’s side have been more effective in terms of both attack and defence this season, which will undoubtedly concern Old Trafford chief Louis van Gaal.
Van Gaal might approach the derby in the same manner as the Chelsea game last week. In a bid to stop City playing as it will be about United trying to win the game outright. Marouane Fellaini might continue in central midfield alongside Daley Blind to add a physical presence.
Fellaini will once again be given the right to go forward and not only press the City midfield and disrupt them like he did against Fabregas and Matic, but also to be an attacking threat in support of the lone striker.
With Radamel Falcao returning from injury and Robin van Persie in some kind of goal scoring form, the Dutchman may well lead the line again. The return of Wayne Rooney should see him replace Juan Mata in the number 10 role, although he may be expected to link up with Fellaini and Blind as a midfield three at times, just as Mata did against Chelsea.
With both teams possessing world-class strikers, this match is likely to be won and lost by the quality of service provided from midfield. Thus far this season, City have thrived in this area, creating 123 goal-scoring opportunities – a total far superior to that of their weekend opponents.
And the current Premier League champions have not only fashioned more chances but scored more too. Pellegrini’s side have netted on 19 occasions – converting 12 percent of their attempts – while United have scored 16 times. Sergio Aguero, who is currently joint-top of the Premier League scoring charts with nine goals, has put five past United in his last six games.
So the Red Devils will need to be firing from all cylinders if they expect to travel home with a share of the spoils this weekend. City will likely dominate in the majority of areas, having made more passes, more tackles and won more aerial duels. The Citizens have also averaged a greater share of possession throughout the opening weeks of the campaign.
Against Chelsea last weekend, however, the Red Devils looked far more adept in a defensive capacity. In just nine fixtures this term, the club have conceded on 13 occasions – a worrying tally – yet Van Gaal will take solace in City’s record, which cannot be seen as much of an improvement.
United’s season has been riddled with a multitude of errors at the back – so far nine mistakes have led to opposition goal scoring opportunities – but, if the club can perform as they did against Jose Mourinho’s league leaders, they stand a far greater chance of success.
Nevertheless, City have hardly been squeaky clean in this department. With four errors already this season, the cracks have shown at times.
If United can capitalise on such weaknesses on Sunday, we’ll have a real game on our hands – and that’s without mentioning that fact that Pellegrini’s men have just lost two on the bounce.
Manchester United playing away from home makes this derby a tougher clash, but United fans are confident the Red Devils can go out and get a vitally important away win. That confidence has been missing for a while, but it’s slowly creeping back with every good performance.
Let’s hope by Sunday evening we can say it was more than just a good performance, more than a statement of intent. It’s a Manchester derby; three points are required.
@AnthonyNlebem
Anthony Nlebem
