The Manchester Derby is never a dull affair ‘“ the battles, tackles being flown and fan support. The Manchester rivals go head-to-head in a mouth watering clash at the Old Trafford tonight with the Red Devils going in prime form.
The Manchester Derby is never a dull affair – the battles, tackles being flown and fan support. The Manchester rivals go head-to-head in a mouth watering clash at the Old Trafford tonight with the Red Devils going in prime form. Manchester City too is in top form but could be missing out on few key players. So which player will hold the trump card today for either side? Will David Moyes triumph over Manuel Pelligrini tonight? Here are the players that hold the ace in tonight’s game:
Manchester United:
Wayne Rooney
The England forward will be one of the trump cards for David Moyes going into the derby match. Wayne Rooney will have to deliver the goods with the injured Robin van Persie nursing an injury. Moyes has to get the best out of ‘Roo’ and the latter will be all pumped up for the derby, who will be out for revenge after that 4-1 drubbing at the Etihad.
Juan Mata
Manchester United had a failed summer transfer window but manager David Moyes made amends for it by signing former Chelsea midfielder, Juan Mata in January. The Spanish player has lifted some of the doom and gloom around Old Trafford faithful since his arrival and would like to be on the winning side when the two Manchester clubs lock horns.
David de Gea
Even though Manchester United might be leaking in few goals, their keeper – David de Gea still remains the ‘Rock of Gibraltar’ in the goal. The former Atletico Madrid keeper has shown form even when his players have drooped and shipped in the goals. With Joe Hart in the opposition goal, David de Gea will be edging to prove his worth to the Red Devils side.
Michael Carrick
The Red Devils might have won the EPL last season due to Robin van Persie’s goals but according Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, Michael Carrick was the RIGHT MAN. The England midfielder has not shown the form of last season but with the Manchester derby, it’s just the right occasion to prove the critics wrong.
Manchester City
Vincent Kompany
The Citizens’ ‘Captain Courageous’, Vincent Kompany is a leader with grit, passion and guts. The Belgian defender will look to thwart the opposition attack posed by the likes of Wayne Rooney and Juan Mata. If the Red Devils are to win anything, they have to go past Kompany first.
Samir Nasri
Out of nowhere, Samir Nasri has become Manchester City’s key player in this year’s English Premier League. The Frenchman was a key player in their League Cup triumph at Wembley recently and would like to add more woes on beleaguered David Moyes by clinching a vital win.
Yaya Toure
Another key player in the middle of the park for City will be Yaya Toure. His steel, valour and audacity to break down opposition defences will be vital for manager Pelligrini to clinch a win on rivals’ home turf.
David Silva
Another key player who holds the ace in triumphing over the rivals, United is Spanish midfielder – David Silva. The Citizens will be banking on his creativity to cut off the United defence and do the ‘double’ over their closest rivals.
With Manchester United returning to winning form again, their major test will lie in how well they do against in-form Manchester City. Their rivals have top players in their ranks but if the Red Devils even get a draw out of this, Moyes will be the happier man from either side.
