As we prepare to enter 2012, Manchester rivals City and United are promising to give English fans one of the more exciting title races in Premier League history.
The common belief seems to be that City have the best players, while United have a magical X-Factor provided by Sir Alex Ferguson that will bring them a 20th English title.
Here we choose a starting XI from the two combined squads. The team will play in a 4-3-3 formation and is based on Premier League performances this season (so without ruining the suspense, Carlos Tevez will not be in it!). With the talent on offer from both teams, it was certainly no easy task.
GK – Joe Hart (Manchester City)
England international Joe Hart has been an ever-present in league leading City’s Premier League campaign so far. Hart’s positional sense and shot stopping ability have been a defensive anchor for City as the goal fly in at the other end.
While United have actually conceded less league goals than City, Spanish donut thief David de Gea is in a battle with Anders Lindegaard to cement himself as the Old Trafford number 1. De Gea has kept five clean sheets in 13 games, while Lindegaard has kept five in five.
LD – Patrice Evra (Manchester United)
French left-back Evra has started 17 of United’s 18 Premier League games as the Red Devils accrued the leagues joint-best defensive record.
In addition to his excellent defensive ability, Evra gets forward to join the attack well, and creates numerous overlaps for United down the left flank.
CD – Vincent Kompany (Manchester City)
The powerhouse Belgian international has the ability to play in both defense and central midfield. When placed in the heart of defense, his athleticism and physical presence make him a daunting prospect for any forward to play against.
Kompany has started 17 of City’s 18 league games, and has also contributed at the attacking end of the field with two goals and one assist.
CD – Phil Jones (Manchester United)
Like Kompany, Jones is capable of playing multiple positions. The athletic young Englishman has played in central defense, central midfield and also at right back for United this season.
With Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic aging and often injured, Jones is seen by many as the future heart of the United defense.
RD – Micah Richards (Manchester City)
Richards is a physical prototype for the modern day defender. Tall, lean, fast on the ground and good in the air. It is rare that an opposing player will have any kind of physical advantage over Richards.
Richards also attacks very well down the right flank, and has contributed five assists for City in Premier League play. For perspective, that is more than both Sergio Aguero and Wayne Rooney have registered.
It is an ongoing mystery to most fans why Richards is continually left out of the England national team picture by Fabio Capello.
CM – Yaya Toure (Manchester City)
Ivory Coast international Toure made himself a cult figure with City fans by netting the winning goal in the semi-finals and final of their successful FA Cup run last season.
This season, he picked up where he left off and has been the only outfield player from City or United to start every Premier League game.
Toure can do it all, shielding the back four, linking play between defense and attack, and also showing well timed runs forward to cause problems for the opposing defense. Toure has registered two goals and four assists for City in league play this season.
City manager Roberto Mancini revealed how highly he rates Toure when he was asked about how City will cope without him as he leaves to play in the African Cup of Nations next month.
“We don’t have any other players like Yaya,” Mancini told BBC Sport. In a squad with as much depth and talent as City’s, that is quite a statement.
CM – Gareth Barry (Manchester City)
Barry was cast as “past his best” by many fans after a poor performance for England at the 2010 World Cup. The image of Mesut Ozil racing away from Barry for one of Germany’s goals was a lasting memory, and the midfielder received more than his share of criticism.
Barry has quietly repaired his reputation since with a series of solid displays, and this season has been an unsung hero for City. As his more creative teammates have grabbed the highlights and headlines, Barry has started 14 league games, and his ball winning and passing has laid the foundation for City to be such a dominant attacking force.
ACM – David Silva (Manchester City)
Spanish playmaker Silva has been a revelation for City this season, and will likely be a contender for Premier League player of the year come season’s end.
Silva has an ability to carve out chances that is second to none, possessing magical close ball control and outstanding passing ability. Silva’s vision and ability to create space has seen him rack up five goals and a Premier League leading eight assists in 16 Premier League starts.
While many spots in this best XI are up for debate, the inclusion of Silva in this position surely isn’t.
LF – Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)
Aguero has burst onto the Premier League scene in a manner that has made City fans forget about fellow Argentine Carlos Tevez.
While last season’s player of the year Tevez has sulked on the bench, Aguero has tore apart opposing defenses while registering 13 goals and four assists. His best position is likely central, but his ability to use both feet and run the channels would make him effective in this position.
CF – Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
As Rooney goes, so go Manchester United. When the England international striker is on form, he can be unplayable.
An ability to create something from nothing, partnered with a maniacal work rate make Rooney a constant thorn in the side of opposing defenders.
Rooney has scored 13 goals in 15 Premier League starts, and would thrive if he was ever to play with the kind of service Silva can provide.
RF – Nani (Manchester United)
Temperamental Portuguese winger Nani made a slow start to the season, but will enter 2012 in very good form.
Nani has hit his straps and has now recorded six goals and seven assists in 16 Premier League starts.
While he has a reputation for losing his temper and drifting in games, a focused Nani can be a nightmare for any left-back in England’s top division.
OPINION
So while it cannot be argued that the team above would be one of the world’s best, the positions are also up for debate. Tell us below who would be in your combined XI from the two Manchester powers?
Here we choose a starting XI from the two combined squads. The team will play in a 4-3-3 formation and is based on Premier League performances this season (so without ruining the suspense, Carlos Tevez will not be in it!). With the talent on offer from both teams, it was certainly no easy task.
GK – Joe Hart (Manchester City)
England international Joe Hart has been an ever-present in league leading City’s Premier League campaign so far. Hart’s positional sense and shot stopping ability have been a defensive anchor for City as the goal fly in at the other end.
While United have actually conceded less league goals than City, Spanish donut thief David de Gea is in a battle with Anders Lindegaard to cement himself as the Old Trafford number 1. De Gea has kept five clean sheets in 13 games, while Lindegaard has kept five in five.
LD – Patrice Evra (Manchester United)
French left-back Evra has started 17 of United’s 18 Premier League games as the Red Devils accrued the leagues joint-best defensive record.
In addition to his excellent defensive ability, Evra gets forward to join the attack well, and creates numerous overlaps for United down the left flank.
CD – Vincent Kompany (Manchester City)
The powerhouse Belgian international has the ability to play in both defense and central midfield. When placed in the heart of defense, his athleticism and physical presence make him a daunting prospect for any forward to play against.
Kompany has started 17 of City’s 18 league games, and has also contributed at the attacking end of the field with two goals and one assist.
CD – Phil Jones (Manchester United)
Like Kompany, Jones is capable of playing multiple positions. The athletic young Englishman has played in central defense, central midfield and also at right back for United this season.
With Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic aging and often injured, Jones is seen by many as the future heart of the United defense.
RD – Micah Richards (Manchester City)
Richards is a physical prototype for the modern day defender. Tall, lean, fast on the ground and good in the air. It is rare that an opposing player will have any kind of physical advantage over Richards.
Richards also attacks very well down the right flank, and has contributed five assists for City in Premier League play. For perspective, that is more than both Sergio Aguero and Wayne Rooney have registered.
It is an ongoing mystery to most fans why Richards is continually left out of the England national team picture by Fabio Capello.
CM – Yaya Toure (Manchester City)
Ivory Coast international Toure made himself a cult figure with City fans by netting the winning goal in the semi-finals and final of their successful FA Cup run last season.
This season, he picked up where he left off and has been the only outfield player from City or United to start every Premier League game.
Toure can do it all, shielding the back four, linking play between defense and attack, and also showing well timed runs forward to cause problems for the opposing defense. Toure has registered two goals and four assists for City in league play this season.
City manager Roberto Mancini revealed how highly he rates Toure when he was asked about how City will cope without him as he leaves to play in the African Cup of Nations next month.
“We don’t have any other players like Yaya,” Mancini told BBC Sport. In a squad with as much depth and talent as City’s, that is quite a statement.
CM – Gareth Barry (Manchester City)
Barry was cast as “past his best” by many fans after a poor performance for England at the 2010 World Cup. The image of Mesut Ozil racing away from Barry for one of Germany’s goals was a lasting memory, and the midfielder received more than his share of criticism.
Barry has quietly repaired his reputation since with a series of solid displays, and this season has been an unsung hero for City. As his more creative teammates have grabbed the highlights and headlines, Barry has started 14 league games, and his ball winning and passing has laid the foundation for City to be such a dominant attacking force.
ACM – David Silva (Manchester City)
Spanish playmaker Silva has been a revelation for City this season, and will likely be a contender for Premier League player of the year come season’s end.
Silva has an ability to carve out chances that is second to none, possessing magical close ball control and outstanding passing ability. Silva’s vision and ability to create space has seen him rack up five goals and a Premier League leading eight assists in 16 Premier League starts.
While many spots in this best XI are up for debate, the inclusion of Silva in this position surely isn’t.
LF – Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)
Aguero has burst onto the Premier League scene in a manner that has made City fans forget about fellow Argentine Carlos Tevez.
While last season’s player of the year Tevez has sulked on the bench, Aguero has tore apart opposing defenses while registering 13 goals and four assists. His best position is likely central, but his ability to use both feet and run the channels would make him effective in this position.
CF – Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
As Rooney goes, so go Manchester United. When the England international striker is on form, he can be unplayable.
An ability to create something from nothing, partnered with a maniacal work rate make Rooney a constant thorn in the side of opposing defenders.
Rooney has scored 13 goals in 15 Premier League starts, and would thrive if he was ever to play with the kind of service Silva can provide.
RF – Nani (Manchester United)
Temperamental Portuguese winger Nani made a slow start to the season, but will enter 2012 in very good form.
Nani has hit his straps and has now recorded six goals and seven assists in 16 Premier League starts.
While he has a reputation for losing his temper and drifting in games, a focused Nani can be a nightmare for any left-back in England’s top division.
OPINION
So while it cannot be argued that the team above would be one of the world’s best, the positions are also up for debate. Tell us below who would be in your combined XI from the two Manchester powers?
