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The first Manchester Derby of the 2018/19 Premier League season will take place on Sunday November 11, 2018. Manchester City haven’t lost in the league since the last Derby day, when Manchester United came back from 2-0 down at halftime to win 3-2 and deny their local rivals the satisfaction of securing the league title against them.
Manchester United are in a decent run of form, and are coming off yet another stunning win against Juventus. Can United continue their renaissance and upset the undefeated league leaders/defending champions on their own ground again, or will it be another painful setback in what has been a difficult season?
Let us know what you think in the polls, and discuss your opinions in the comments!
Attack
Anthony Martial, Alexis Sánchez, and Jesse Lingard were the front 3 selected by Jose Mourinho for the clash at Juventus, but the attack was largely ineffective. Substitutes Marcus Rashford, Juan Mata and Marouane Fellaini were able to make an impact off the bench and lead the comeback. Should Rashford and Mata make a return to the starting lineup in the front 3 against City, or should Mourinho explore other options?
Poll
Which forwards should Mourinho pick to start in the Derby?
This poll is closed
-
21%
Martial, Alexis, Lingard
(19 votes) -
44%
Martial, Rashford, Mata
(40 votes) -
18%
Martial, Rashford, Lingard
(17 votes) -
15%
Other (Comment)
(14 votes)
Midfield
Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matić have remained regular starters in midfield, but their 3rd partner at the center of the park has been a revolving door of players depending on how Mourinho wants to approach the match.
Juan Mata has been used to great effect this season as an option for opening up the opposition, and his creativity alongside Pogba’s gives United’s attack a bit more bite than some fans are used to seeing under Mourinho.
Ander Herrera is more of a defensive workhorse than a creator or goalscorer, but he’s certainly more effective going forward than Matić.
Fred, one of United’s few summer arrivals, hasn’t featured often for the club, but has shown promising growth in his appearances since opening day. His speed and agility paired with his creativity make him a potentially dangerous player for United in the future, but he hasn’t made a significant impact yet.
Marouane Fellaini, though certainly not a fan favorite, has been effective on more than one big occasion in his United career. This season in particular he has been much more effective as both a midfield anchor late in games and a physical presence in both attack and defense on set pieces.
Nemanja Matić is normally one of Mourinho’s untouchables, but with his recent form and obviously tired legs Matić’s place in the squad has been brought into question as well.
Who should Mourinho send out as United’s midfield trio on Sunday?
Poll
Who should feature in United’s midfield trio in the Derby?
This poll is closed
-
42%
Pogba, Matić, Herrera
(38 votes) -
6%
Pogba, Matić, Mata
(6 votes) -
6%
Pogba, Herrera, Mata
(6 votes) -
3%
Pogba, Fellaini, Mata
(3 votes) -
10%
Pogba, Fellaini, Herrera
(9 votes) -
3%
Pogba, Matić, Fred
(3 votes) -
25%
Pogba, Herrera, Fred
(23 votes) -
2%
Other (Comment)
(2 votes)
Goals
Whether by brilliance, sheer will, or simple luck Manchester United are back to scoring goals. They’ve scored at least twice in 5 of their last 6 games, but on Sunday they face a tough City side that has allowed only 4 goals all season.
Will United keep up their goal scoring form, or will City prove to much of a hurdle for the men in Red?
Poll
How will United’s attack fare against City?
This poll is closed
-
51%
They’ll score more than once
(41 votes) -
44%
They’ll score once
(35 votes) -
3%
They won’t score
(3 votes)
Defense
Though United continued their winning form, they conceded once again against Juve. It’s now been just over a month since they last kept a clean sheet. Can they get the job done in the Derby against a ruthless City attack?
Poll
How will United’s defense fare against City
This poll is closed
-
58%
They’ll concede more than once
(47 votes) -
35%
They’ll concede once
(29 votes) -
6%
Clean sheet
(5 votes)
Injuries
United’s squad have been hit with a few injuries, but their replacements appear to be doing about as well, if not better. Which player, if fully fit, should be reinstated in the United squad?
Poll
Which player should return to the starting 11 if fit?
This poll is closed
-
28%
Diogo Dalot
(24 votes) -
18%
Romelu Lukaku
(15 votes) -
21%
Antonio Valencia
(18 votes) -
2%
Phil Jones
(2 votes) -
28%
None
(24 votes)
Result
Finally, predict the result for the Manchester Derby!
Poll
Predict the result for the Manchester Derby
This poll is closed
-
44%
United win
(40 votes) -
22%
Draw
(20 votes) -
32%
City win
(29 votes)