Manchester City: What to Watch for in Manchester Derby
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – MARCH 20: Sergio Aguero of Manchester City is watched by Michael Carrick of Manchester United during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Etihad Stadium on March 20, 2016 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
After a week off due to World Cup Qualifiers, Manchester City return to Barclays Premier League action on Saturday with a road trip to city rivals Manchester United.
Pep Guardiola‘s side have started off the 2016-17 league campaign with a bang, winning their first three matches over Sunderland, Stoke City, and West Ham United respectively.
Players like Raheem Sterling, Sergio Aguero, Nolito, John Stones, and Nicolas Otamendi have been the standout performers so far in this talented squad. Sterling seems to have found his confidence again, Aguero and Nolito have netted goals, and the center-back partnership of Stones and Otamendi continues to grow with Vincent Kompany still out recovering from calf issues.
A number of players have left the club as well with last Wednesday being the final day of the Summer Transfer Window. Joe Hart, Eliaquim Mangala, Samir Nasri, and Wilfried Bony all have left the club on loans to make room for the players that Guardiola wants on this team going forward.
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For United, they to are 3-0-0 to start the EPL campaign. Mourinho’s side have beaten Southampton, Bournemouth, and Hull City respectively. Summer transfer Zlatan Ibrahimovic has tallied three goals so far, and Wayne Rooney has a goal and two assists so far in three matches.
Paul Pogba has made a visible difference in the midfield since joining from Juventus and is always a threat offensively. Players like Juan Mata, Anthony Martial, and Marcus Rashford are also scoring threats.
Here are three things to watch for in tomorrow’s Derby at Old Trafford.
1.) Look for David Silva to play up-top for City.
With Aguero out, I feel City’s best chance of winning is with multiple midfielders starting. David Silva could line-up as a forward but ultimately City will try to work the ball around with Sterling, Kevin De Bruyne, and Nolito as well. Kelechi Iheanacho is also a possibility at forward but I cannot see Guardiola trusting the youngster from the first kick in such a huge match.
2.) Fabian Delph will partner with Fernandinho tomorrow just ahead of the backline.
I feel that City need Delph as the Brazilian’s partner tomorrow. Both players can sit back and defend or one can advance forward on attacks. I feel these two do a lot of the same things and with United’s dangerous group of offensive players too, City need to defend first and attack second.
3.) Tomorrow will be a dogfight, for sure.
Both sides are undefeated to start the campaign and both sit in the top three. City are in first due to goal differential and United will try their hardest to win at home. With Aguero out, some of the glamour that normally would come from this fixture is gone. However, both teams will try everything they can to come out on top to build momentum for respective European fixtures coming up.
Overall, I think tomorrow will be a cracker of a match. The Manchester Derby is one of the most thrilling matches in the world and with so much talent on each side, this year’s could be one of the best. My prediction sees the teams fight out a 2-2 draw, which I’m sure Guardiola would sure take on the road.
For all you City fans out there, here is something to get you psyched for tomorrow’s match!
Writer’s note: Stay tuned here for all of your Manchester CIty updates. Follow me on twitter, and leave any questions or comments at @lhenry019. Also, follow @mancitysquare on twitter as well!
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