The Man United vs Man City game is going to be the showstopper of gameweek 11 and the home side go into this match as the major underdogs. The last time United faced a big side was against Liverpool two weeks ago and they ended up losing that match 5-0.
Manchester United are a total mess right now while Manchester City are looking as strong as ever. But the funny thing is that the Old Trafford outfit are just three points behind their local rivals meaning if they can win on Saturday then Solskjaer’s side are going to be level on points with Pep’s men.
We doubt if the home side have what it takes to beat City but if Solskjaer’s side can manage to win three key battles then there’s every chance that they move up the Premier League table and rub shoulders with their arch-rivals as all the teams go into the international break.
Ruben Dias & Stones v/s Ronaldo & Cavani:
Aymeric Laporte is unavailable due to a suspension meaning John Stones will have to partner Ruben Dias in central defence.
The pair was absolutely phenomenal last season but this time campaign, they have not played too many games together. And the fact that they will face Cavani and Ronaldo will be a battle to look out for.
The outcome of the Man United vs Man City could very easily be determined by this one major duel since Ronaldo and Cavani has shown they can very much play in sync and the kind of form CR7 is in right now, the two Man City defenders cannot afford to give anything less than 100%.
Man United’s three-man central defence vs the Man City attack:
Raphael Varane is ruled out with a hamstring injury and this is a huge cause of concern for the Man United manager.
The absence of the Frenchman means Eric Bailly and Lindelof will join Harry Maguire in the three-man central defence( if Ole sticks with the 3-4-1-2 system).
Eric Bailly, ladies and gentlemen. #ManUnited hero pic.twitter.com/z2W9uAswzH
— ST. BENEDICT (@BlestChipoCosta) November 3, 2021
Since Ferran Torres is out injured, Guardiola will once again use a false nine meaning the three central defenders will have no particular player to mark. A false-nine means the Man City front-three have the license to drift and shift at will and this could very well cause mayhem amongst the Man United defenders.
If the trio of Lindelof, Bailly and Harry Maguire can get their act together then there’s every chance that Man United will pick up something from this match.
Fred & McTominay vs Kevin De Bruyne:
Every time Kevin De Bruyne has been stopped from playing his A-game this season, Man City have dropped points. And in the Man United vs Man City game, Fred and McTominay will be looking to do this very same thing.
The duo has been the first-choice central midfielders this season and they will have the job to stop De Bruyne from pinging his typical passes and controlling the tempo of the match.
If McTominay and Fred can break the play smartly and mess up the midfield then Ole could hope to secure a win or at least maybe a point.
Stats via Fotmob.
