Old Trafford will be at the centre of the football universe
on Sunday when Manchester United face Manchester City in a crucial
top-of-the-table Premier League clash.
Second-placed United trail leaders City by eight points and
must win to have a realistic chance of overhauling their fierce local rivals.
Both United manager Jose Mourinho and City boss Pep
Guardiola can call on a galaxy of expensive stars as they seek a potentially
season-defining victory.
AFP Sport takes a closer look at the key performers and
tactical decisions that will help settle the Manchester derby:
Goalkeepers
Mourinho will believe he has the advantage between the posts
after United’s David De Gea once again underlined his status as arguably the
world’s best goalkeeper with a stunning display in last weekend’s win against
Arsenal.
The Spaniard made save after save, including a breathtaking
double stop to keep out Alexandre Lacazette’s drive before regaining his
balance to block Alexis Sanchez’s follow-up with his boot.
After the calamities of Claudio Bravo and Willy Caballero
last season, Guardiola has stabilised the goalkeeping situation at City with
his £35 million ($47 million, 40 million euros) close-season signing of Ederson
from Benfica. The Brazilian might not be in De Gea’s class yet but he is a
solid shot-stopper and, just as importantly for Guardiola’s ball-retention
philosophy, he has enough composure on the ball to start City’s attacks with
his distribution.
Defenders
Both Mourinho and Guardiola have overseen solid defences,
with United conceding nine goals in their 15 league games and City allowing in
10 over the same period. Yet the rival bosses have gone about it in entirely
different styles as Mourinho currently prefers three central defenders and two
wing-backs, while Guardiola has gone for a back four of late.
It has not been all plain sailing and Mourinho might be
worried after United trio Marcos Rojo, Victor Lindelof and Chris Smalling
endured a torrid time against Watford and Arsenal.
First-choice centreback Eric Bailly remains sidelined and
Mourinho says Rojo is tired after recently returning from a long-term injury,
meaning Phil Jones could return this week following his own injury issues.
Vincent Kompany and Nicolas Otamendi are likely to figure at
the heart of City’s defence, but Guardiola must be alarmed by the way City have
conceded so often from set pieces recently.
Right-back Kyle Walker and Fabian Delph, a midfielder
converted to left-back by Guardiola, have both provided the attacking impetus
required by their coach.
Midfielders
With Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young enjoying strong
seasons in the wing-back berths and Nemanja Matic giving solidity in the
holding role, United have established a strong foundation in midfield.
Crucially however, Mourinho will be without Paul Pogba as he
serves a suspension for his red card against Arsenal.
With doubts over Marouane Fellaini’s fitness, Ander Herrera
is likely to deputise for Pogba, but the little Spaniard will not be able to
replicate the France star’s muscular power and ability to impose his will on
games. Guardiola has an embarrassment of riches as he ponders how best to seize
control in the vital midfield battle. Fernandinho has anchored City’s
rearguard, allowing creative lynchpins Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva freedom
to roam in attacking areas, though Silva could be a fitness doubt for Sunday.
If De Bruyne and Silva are able to dictate the tempo, United could be in for a
long and painful afternoon.
Forwards
After scoring 11
goals in his first 10 games for United, Romelu Lukaku hit a frustrating lean
spell, so Mourinho will have been relieved to see the Belgian score against
CSKA Moscow in midweek — just his second goal in his past 13 appearances. Jesse
Lingard should start after his brace at Arsenal maintained the young winger’s
impressive burst of form, while Marcus Rashford is unlikely to oust Anthony
Martial on the other flank despite his goal against CSKA.
If Mourinho needs to
go for broke in the closing stages, the presence of Zlatan Ibrahimovic on the
bench offers the chance to unsettle City with a more direct approach. Guardiola
said he had learned a lesson when his introduction of Gabriel Jesus as a
half-time substitute to play alongside Sergio Aguero helped City break down
West Ham’s massed defence. Starting with both Jesus and Aguero at United would
be a bold move but Guardiola has so many options he can keep Mourinho guessing
until the last minute.
Aguero’s 11 goals
this season have made him City’s all-time leading scorer, but Jesus would offer
more mobility if Guardiola plays on the counter. On the flanks, Raheem Sterling
and Leroy Sane are both in top form, with England winger Sterling especially
lethal in recent weeks.
0 comments:
Post a Comment