Manchester City face a difficult task to beat Manchester United at Old Trafford this weekend in the Manchester Derby – here’s four crucial things they must get right if they are to get back on form and cause an upset…
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1) Embrace change in defence
With ESPN reporting that Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany could miss this clash through injury, it’s time for Manuel Pellegrini to embrace the chance to make a change to his defence. The Belgian international has been awful in recent big games and could prove a liability against opposition like this, and it’s a chance to try something different – perhaps even the radical move to try summer signing Bacary Sagna at centre-back, where he has previously played well for former club Arsenal.
2) Hit United on the counter-attack
Manchester United like to have a lot of the ball and will dominate in terms of possession, trying to pass their way through City. Pellegrini must be smart here and try to take advantage of Louis van Gaal’s tactical approach – giving a strong midfielder like Yaya Toure a more defensive role perhaps, whilst making the most of Jesus Navas’ pace on the flanks to hit back at United quickly – with defence hardly the Red Devils’ strong point this season if left exposed by bodies moving forward.
3) Give Aguero the right service
Sergio Aguero is not firing at the moment, but he could perhaps do with more in the way of service if City are to get anything out of this game. It’s hard to see where else the goals will come from, but the Argentine can surely find his way back to form against some unconvincing United defenders. It will be key to get David Silva on the ball as the two have a superb understanding, while Navas again could be pivotal in getting the ball into the box quickly on the break.
4) Hart at his best
This is something rather out of Pellegrini’s control, but Joe Hart will need to have a blinder in this game as he did in the recent 1-0 defeat to Barcelona, which would have been a much more one-sided scoreline if not for his heroics in goal. The England international has shown he is capable of match-winning displays and could prove crucial in keeping the likes of Wayne Rooney quiet this Sunday as the home side are likely to have plenty of the ball and attacking chances.