Manchester City vs Manchester United: Who comes out on top when the stars collide?
- Manchester City welcome Manchester United to Etihad Stadium on Sunday
- Key man David Silva injured for Manchester City
- Sportsmail judges the players as they go head-to-hea
The Manchester derby is one of the fiercest rivalries in world football.
Despite
their struggles this season, City and United are among the biggest
clubs in the country and there will be hundreds of millions of pounds
worth of talent on show at the Etihad Stadium.
But who has the better players? Does red or blue come out on top when their stars are judged by Sportsmail's High Court?
Scroll down to find out...
VIDEO Scroll down to watch Yaya Toure hail the singings of Falcao and Di Maria
man city
The likely line-ups for Manchester City against United on Sunday
Goalkeeper: Joe Hart vs David de Gea
The Manchester United goalkeeper has established himself as one of the best stoppers in the Barclays Premier League.
He has transformed from the lightweight youngster who joined the club
to a heavyweight of the side who is often relied upon to keep them in
matches. Manchester City's Joe Hart, in comparison, is too prone to
mistakes and his position in the team is all-too often questioned.
VERDICT: Hart 8/10 De Gea 9
David de Gea has enjoyed a fine start to the season in goal for Manchester United
Joe Hart just fails to keep out Diafra Sakho's header in Manchester City's defeat by West Ham
Right back: Pablo Zabaleta vs Rafael
Zabaleta
is one of the best full backs in the world, tirelessly running up and
down that flank all game. He is almost as important to City's attack as
he is their defence. Rafael, however, is is a liability at right back
for United.
VERDICT: Zabaleta 8 Rafael 6
Pablo Zabaleta (left) is one of the world's best full backs whereas Rafael is a liability
Centre back: Vincent Kompany vs Chris Smalling
Neither
defence has covered themselves in glory this season, with City
conceding too many soft goals, but United's centre of defence has been
terrible for much of the season. Kompany is much better than Smalling,
that's all there is to it.
VERDICT: Kompany 9 Smalling 6
Vincent Kompany is the leader of City's defence, even if he is not quite at his imperious best
Chris Smalling wrestles Branislav Ivanovic to the ground in United's draw against Chelsea
Centre back: Martin Demichelis vs Marcos Rojo
Demichelis
was a liability for part of last season but rallied and is now seen as a
safe option at the heart of City's defence. Rojo is a better full back
than a centre half and seems to struggle with the physicality of the
Premier League.
VERDICT: Demichelis 7 Rojo 6
Martin Demichelis (left) has turned his City career around but compatriot Marcos Rojo seems lightweight
Left back: Gael Clichy vs Luke Shaw
Shaw
has had a troubled start to his career at United, struggling for
fitness and with injury, but since he has got back into the side he is
starting to find the form that made him the best young full back in the
country. City's Gael Clichy has looked slow and off-the-pace recently,
and lacks the ability of Shaw even when fully fit.
VERDICT: Clichy 7 Shaw 8
Gael Clichy is beaten in the air by Sakho and has looked off the pace this season
Luke Shaw (right) is finding his feet after a slow start to his United career
Midfielder: Fernando vs Daley Blind
Blind,
at United, can seemingly play anywhere but is making a strong case for
being a regular holding midfielder. He can screen the back four as well
as join the attack to do damage to opponents. Fernando seems to have
struggled a bit since his arrival at City.
VERDICT: Fernando 7 Blind 8
Fernando seems to have struggled since arriving at City but Daley Blind (right) is United's midfield screen
Midfielder: James Milner vs Michael Carrick
Milner
has had a very good start to the season and has been rewarded with
starts in the majority of City's matches. His energy is very useful to
Pellegrini. This would be Carrick's first match of the season but when
he's on form he makes United tick.
VERDICT: Milner 7 Carrick 7
The industrious James Milner (right) challenges Jack Colback in City's defeat by Newcastle
Michael Carrick, at training on Friday, is in line to start his first match of the season for United
Midfielder: Yaya Toure vs Marouane Fellaini
The
battle of the big men in midfield. Even if he is well off his usual
form this season, Toure is one of the league's powerhouses and there is
always the potential for a goal from nowhere. Fellaini seems to have
turned a corner after his goal at West Brom and lung-busting performance
against Chelsea. Toure is still his better, however.
VERDICT: Toure 8 Fellaini 7
Yaya Toure has been below par this season but can still dominate the midfield
Marouane Fellaini looked reinvigorated against Chelsea and here takes on Gary Cahill
Attacking midfielder: Samir Nasri vs Angel di Maria
The
Argentine has been played on either flank for United and creates magic
with that left foot. Although what he produces is no illusion – he can
pick out a man with a pass or score from virtually anywhere and his pace
can take him away from opponents. Nasri is more of a touch player and
sometimes seems to go missing - but can also produce a goal or a pass
from nothing.
VERDICT: Nasri 8 Di Maria 9
Samir Nasri (right) is City's creative spark and will hope to unlock the United defence
Striker: Edin Dzeko vs Robin van Persie
Both
cost more than £25m but are their club's secondary striker. Neither
centre forward has fired this season - Dzeko has scored just twice in
the Premier League (although one was a beauty at Hull) and Van Persie
has looked off-colour since the World Cup, although United will hope the
last-gasp equaliser against Chelsea will galvanise the Dutchman.
VERDICT: Dzeko 7 Van Persie 8
Edin Dzeko has failed to fire this season for City and was in the side that lost against Newcastle
Robin van Persie (right) slams in the equaliser against Chelsea and United hope there will be many more
Striker: Sergio Aguero vs Wayne Rooney
Now
on to the talismanic centre forwards. Aguero's record this season
speaks for itself: 11 goals in 13 games in all competitions, eight goals
in his last seven, joint-top scorer in the Premier League with nine.
Although less prolific this season, Rooney will be champing at the bit
after his three-match suspension and will lead United's attack
VERDICT: Aguero 9 Rooney 8
Wayne Rooney (left) and Sergio Aguero will be the main men in attack on Sunday
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