The much-awaited Manchester Derby has been perfectly scheduled to ward off midweek blues. Pep Guardiola’s army marches on to Old Trafford to take on a quivering Manchester United side that was recently humiliated by Everton at Goodison Park.
This derby is bound to have a major influence on the league table as a draw or defeat against United would mean that Manchester City will have to depend on results from elsewhere in order to defend their crown.
City will be in good spirits despite being ousted from Europe by Tottenham after beating the same opponents on Saturday in domestic action, whereas United are yet to recover from the blow provided by Wolves and amplified by Barcelona then Everton.
However, form is secondary in a derby as emotions take centre-stage. Counting United out could be premature, given they do have players capable of hurting City.
The Premier League is in the end-game now and Guardiola will do whatever it takes to defend the title. City, surely start as favourites.
We take a look at the key-players in this crucial tie.
Raheem Sterling – Manchester City
Raheem Sterling has made the headlines for all the right reasons recently.
The winger has been one of the most consistent players under Guardiola and has rightly earned himself a nomination for Player of the Year.
The Englishman has been involved in 26 goals this season, scoring 17 times and providing nine more. Team-mate Sergio Aguero (27) and Real Madrid-bound Eden Hazard (29) are the only two players with better numbers in the Premier League.
Although, statistics don’t entirely justify the influence Sterling has on a particular game. He is clearly one of the most complete players in the team – and by extension – the league. Sterling averages a very impressive two key-passes a game and completes 2.4 dribbles.
Tactically flexible, the England international can drop deep to provide, hug the touchline to stretch the field or even cut inside and have a go at goal himself. Sterling has the traits and the momentum to create a huge impact on this game.
David de Gea – Manchester United
David de Gea.
When you’re facing the team which fires at goal voluminously – their 18 shots in the league is the highest, Chelsea in second sit at around two less – you’ll need your goalkeeper to be on top of his game.
Unless it’s Danilo or Kyle Walker rocketing from distance, the shots produced by City are of high quality. They have recorded an xG (expected goals) of 87.53 and have scored 87 goals this season. Liverpool – who have registered an xG of 72.69 – are second on the list, but the difference is immense.
De Gea has been poor by his standards this season and erroneous recently. His last cleansheet in the league was exactly two months ago when an injury-ravaged United and injury-struck Liverpool played out a lifeless 0-0 draw at Old Trafford.
Yet there is the mitigating factor of there being practically no defence in front of him, as evidenced by the dire closing down for Gylfi Sigurdsson’s strike on Sunday. The confidence and morale is visibly low, but nothing can turn it around like a masterclass in a derby.
Sergio Aguero – Manchester City
PFA announce six-man shortlist for Player of the Year 👏 Who is your winner?#pfa #pfaplayeroftheyear #poty #professionalfootballersassociation #premierleague #mancity #chelsea #liverpool #aguero #sterling #bernardosilva #hazard #mane #vandijk pic.twitter.com/IVrwPfW7RQ
— Onefootball (@OnefootballEN) April 20, 2019
When City face an opponent from the top six, it’s mandatory to include Aguero on the list of key players. The Argentine has always delivered for City against elite teams domestically.
The striker has scored eight goals against the top-six this season and this accounts for 42 percent of the total goals he has scored in the league. With an assist against Spurs last week, Aguero now has at least one goal-involvement against each of the top-six teams in the league in 2018/19.
The 30-year-old has already netted hat-tricks against Chelsea and Arsenal in the second half of the season plus a crucial goal to hand Liverpool their only defeat of the season back in January.
Aguero will be licking lips at the prospect of extending this record by asserting himself on an underwhelming United defence.
United have a Champions League spot to fight for but City need this win to reclaim top spot. It would be logical to expect both the teams to adopt an attacking approach. In such a case – or otherwise – Aguero could prove to be decisive.
Alexis Sanchez – Manchester United
Alexis Sanchez is back from injury and could get the nod for his first start since March. During his cameo against Barcelona at the Camp Nou, the Chilean created more threat in 15 minutes than United’s attack managed over two legs.
Sanchez has been in a rough patch himself ever since he jumped ship from Arsenal. But given how poorly Marcus Rashford, Romelu Lukaku and Anthony Martial have performed ever since their comeback against Paris Saint-Germain, United might have to turn to the man behind the piano to strike the right notes.
While at Arsenal, Sanchez had a reputation of performing on the big stage and he needs to bring out that version of his past to help United pull off an unexpected victory.
Whether he plays as a winger, a No10 or as a striker, the Chilean has to take it onto himself to provide the spark that has been missing in United’s attack.
If it turns out to be one of those days for Sanchez, he could make the covers on Thursday morning.
