It’s a meek Manchester City that limp into latest Derby clash with Manchester United
As the reigning Premier League champions, perhaps it's ill-advised to criticize Manchester City too much. Nevertheless, having suffered through their last three fixtures, they head into Sunday's Derby against Manchester United with something of a point to prove.
During the week, they were eliminated from the Capital One Cup after a 2-0 loss to struggling Newcastle. Last weekend, they were humbled in east London as Sam Allardyce's West Ham found a surprise victory. And just a few days before that, they surrendered a two-goal lead in a Champions League tie in Moscow and inexplicably succumbed to a 2-2 draw leaving them with an uphill battle to qualify from the group stage.
Added to the slump is the news that David Silva, their playmaker and best performer so far this season, will be out for three weeks after damaging his knee against the Magpies. So, instead of marching defiantly towards an intense and heated local affair this weekend, City are meekly plodding towards the fixture and many feel it's United that head to the Etihad as favourites.
That view is essentially based around their 1-1 draw against Chelsea - a positive and surprising outcome given the inconsistencies that have punctuated United's campaign so far. Against Jose Mourinho's outfit, United won the tactical battle, were resilient, disciplined and balanced. They breached an imposing and well-regarded defence on a number of occasions and certainly deserved a point and probably all three. It was the side's best performance of the season and despite some relatively minor defensive blips from Marcos Rojo in particular, United stood firm, isolated Chelsea's best players and restricted them to half-chances only.
But defensive concerns still remain. Injuries certainly haven't helped United in trying to build partnerships in key areas of the pitch and without a steady stream of successive games together, central defenders in particular will struggle to find an understanding. It seems that the sum of the parts will push United through games in the immediate future and, given their offensive unit, it's not a bad strategy.
With Wayne Rooney available again after suspension, he'll return to the starting XI and feature alongside Robin van Persie - the Dutchman no doubt buoyed by that late equalizer last weekend. But with Louis van Gaal having tinkered so much with formations and strategies since the season began, it will be interesting to see just how United will set up.
With Rooney in the team, does that mean Juan Mata will be relegated to the bench? Or, will Van Gaal attempt to replicate the success of his midfield three against Chelsea? That could mean that he'll keep faith with Daley Blind, Marouane Fellaini and Mata, and push Rooney to the flank in a forward three alongside Van Persie and Di Maria. It would be surprising if the United manager plays a traditional 4-4-2 but if he does, that may be good news for youngster Adnan Januzaj, who impressed against Chelsea with his pace, vision and burgeoning relationship with Luke Shaw on the left flank.
Arguably the most impressive aspect to United's draw with Chelsea was their mindset. Last term under David Moyes, the club floundered on the big occasions. Against the elite teams, they offered up tame, passive and weak performances. Instead of playing with a determination and spirit, United were lacklustre and lifeless. Last August, in Moyes' second league game as United boss, Chelsea travelled to Old Trafford and set up to draw the game. Jose Mourinho, that arrogant and brash loudmouth, was running scared. He selected a winger up-front and chose to leave strikers Fernando Torres and Romelu Lukaku on the bench. But instead of bringing the game to Chelsea, Moyes too seemed glad of a point. United offered little and it was an insipid affair, essentially setting the tone for Moyes' brief tenure. A opportunity spurned to make a firm statement.
Van Gaal has already proven that he's different, that he wants his team to attack and play with flair. That brings its own issues, especially if players lose concentration and get drawn out of position. But, perhaps for the first time this season, there was a nice balance to the United team last weekend. In contrast to a chaotic clash with West Brom, players were positionally sound and kept their shape well.
United will need to do likewise against City. With so much criticism in recent days and weeks, there will be a response from them - that's what the best teams do. Yaya Toure, having spent so much of this campaign as a largely anonymous figure, still has the potential to charge through a ponderous midfield and defence and finish with aplomb. Perhaps most importantly, though probably lost in the haze of the plaudits and platitudes presented at the feet of Diego Costa since his arrival in the league, Sergio Aguero is the joint top scorer in the top flight. Afforded any space in the penalty area and he will do utmost damage. With his speed and quickness of thought, United's nervy defence, just like against Chelsea, will need their deep-lying midfielders to shield and protect them.
Too often this season, City have lacked that power and intent that pushed them to another title last season. Instead, they've been pedestrian on too many occasions - caught by teams who have been hungrier. Against West Ham, City's quality nearly won them the game - twice they hit the woodwork, but they left themselves far too much to do. They started poorly and were surprised by the intensity and purposeful start by their opponents. If United begin as they did against Chelsea, it will be intriguing to see if there's an immediate City response. Given how easily United were brushed aside at the Etihad last season, they won't lack any motivation. It's up to City to stifle it.
Eoin O'Callaghan is a soccer journalist and broadcaster. Best known in North America for his TV work with Fox Soccer, he has also reported extensively for BBC, RTE and Setanta Sports. He writes about soccer for The Irish Examiner newspaper, beIN Sports, One World Sports and TheScore.ie. Follow him @EoinOCallaghan
