This weekend comes alive with a mouth-watering Manchester derby the highlight of the fixtures in this weekend’s Barclays Premier League. For the first time in over 26 years, Manchester United go into a derby without Sir Alex Ferguson while Manuel Pelegrini will get his first taste of the derby in charge of Manchester City.
This weekend comes alive with a mouth-watering Manchester derby the highlight of the fixtures in this weekend’s Barclays Premier League. For the first time in over 26 years, Manchester United go into a derby without Sir Alex Ferguson while Manuel Pelegrini will get his first taste of the derby in charge of Manchester City.
David Moyes will lead Manchester United into the clash at the Etihad Stadium with a good record against the ‘Blue half of Manchester’ during his time at Everton. Moyes has not lost in his last six games at the Etihad and will be hoping that continues come the end of the match on Sunday. Pelegrini will be hoping his team’s second half performance in their mid-week UEFA Champions League clash will be carried over into the Manchester derby.
City may have their influential captain Vincent Kompany fit for the match as well as David Silva who was carrying a knock. Yaya Toure has been in great form and he will need to carry on in the same vane if City is to come away with a good result. Alvaro Negredo may get the nod ahead of Edin Dzeko because of his goal-scoring form.
Man United could also recall Rafael back into the starting eleven after his recovery from injury. Nani is also available along with Shinji Kagawa who got some vital minutes in their mid-week Champions League fixture. Moyes has quite a fully fit squad to choose from and even young Adnan Januzaj has a chance of making the squad after a dazzling display against Crystal Palace last weekend.
The battle in this game could be between the strikers and also in midfield. Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie are in great form for the Red Devils while Negredo and Kun Aguero are finding the net for City. If both sets of strikers produce their best form, there could be quite a few goals in this fixture.
Man United now has Marouanne Fellaini to match the physicality of Yaya Toure in midfield. Fellaini looked solid on his champions league debut and his partnership with Michael Carrick provided a strong spine in midfield which gives the likes of Rooney and the wingers to push further up the pitch. Yaya Toure and Fernandinho looked good in the first match against Newcastle but have since failed to live up to the expectation.
On form Man United are the better team but at home City are a hard team to beat. Last season’s fixture at the Etihad was a wonderful spectacle with a very dramatic ending with United grabbing a late winner. The football world will be hoping for a similar match and will hope for some quality football and great entertainment.
Writer: Yashiema Love
Photo: Jesus Navas (skysports.com)
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