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Manchester derby combined XI: Who out of City and United have the bragging rights in our ultimate line-up?

Based on current form and fitness who makes the cut ahead of the clash between the two great rivals on Thursday evening

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Manchester derby combined XI

Manchester derby combined XI

  • 1/11 Goalkeeper: David de Gea

    City’s goalkeepers have been an Achilles' heel for Pep Guardiola in his first season in English football. Claudio Bravo has failed to live up to expectations and has had to settle for a rotation policy with Willy Caballero. De Gea, on the other hand, has had another impressive season for United and was recognised by the PFA in their team of the year.

    Getty Images

  • 2/11 Right-back: Antonio Valencia

    The evergreen Valencia deserves the gong for best right-back in Manchester after another consistent campaign. The 31-year-old has been ever-present for United and has been effective as an attacking, as well as defensive, outlet, contributing three assists in the Premier League. City’s ageing duo of Bacary Sagna and Pablo Zabaleta have failed to hit form this season.

    Man Utd via Getty Images

  • 3/11 Centre-back: Eric Bailly

    United have only lost three games in the league this season, conceding 24 goals in the process – the second least in the division. Summer signing Bailly can take a lot of the credit after an impressive debut season. The Ivorian has kept nine clean sheets in 20 league appearances this term.

    Man Utd via Getty Images

  • 4/11 Centre-back: Vincent Kompany

    Despite having only made five league appearances in another injury ravaged campaign, the City captain’s experience earns him the second spot in the centre of defence. He is more reliable than the erratic Nicolas Otamendi and the youthful John Stones, and with Chris Smalling touch-and-go to be fit for Thursday, Kompany is the best fit.

    AFP/Getty Images

  • 5/11 Left-back: Luke Shaw

    Both Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola inherited full-backs in the twilight of their careers. Shaw, only 21, takes the left-back spot, despite enduring a difficult relationship with Mourinho, because he represents the best attacking outlet. He has found his way back into the starting XI in recent weeks looks now to be part of Jose’s plans.

    Getty Images

  • 6/11 Midfield: Michael Carrick

    Perennially under-appreciated by England managers, Carrick continues to offer assurance and accuracy in the centre of United’s midfield. Often the conduit between attack and defence, the 35-year-old – celebrating his 11th year at the club – is a safe pair of hands for Mourinho and ideal support for his flair players in more advanced positions.

    Getty Images

  • 7/11 Midfield: Fernandinho

    The box-to-box Brazilian has been a mainstay in Guardiola’s midfield this season, making 26 appearances in the league. Fernandinho’s break up play and ball retention earns him a place in the combined XI ahead of Paul Pogba who has delivered some great moments but failed to deliver on a consistent basis.

    Getty Images,

  • 8/11 Right wing: Kevin De Bruyne

    De Bruyne has provided 13 assists this season – more than any other player in the league. The Belgian has made 30 appearances in the league this season and has proved his quality in the Champions League, with a scintillating display against Barcelona at the Etihad in November.

    Getty Images

  • 9/11 Attacking midfield: Henrikh Mkhitaryan

    A toss-up between Mkhitaryan and David Silva. The former Bundesliga Player of the Year shades it because he can also play as a support striker, capable of playing on the shoulder of the last defender as well as threading the ball through to a number nine. Mkhitaryan has scored four goals in the league this season, most memorable being his scorpion-kick against Sunderland.

    Getty Images

  • 10/11 Left wing: Leroy Sane

    Big-money signing Sane must be one of the first names on Guardiola’s team sheet after running into a purple patch of form in recent months. The strong-running German has scored nine goals in his debut season and has offered a welcome injection of pace in the absence of fellow new-boy Gabriel Jesus who picked up an injury in February.

    Getty Images

  • 11/11 Attack: Sergio Aguero

    Despite being replaced by Gabriel Jesus in the New Year, Aguero remains the most gifted forward player in the Premier League. The former Golden Boot winner has scored 17 league goals this season and proved his quality once again in the FA Cup on Sunday with a deft chip over Petr Čech.

    AFP/Getty Images

Manchester will be divided again on Thursday when City and United meet

Manchester will be painted either red or blue on Thursday evening when Pep Guardiola’s City host Jose Mourinho’s United in the two sides’ third clash of the season.

City beat United at the beginning of September 2-1 in the Premier League, before the Red Devils got their revenge a month later by knocking their ‘noisy neighbours’ out of the EFL Cup – a competition they went on to win.

So with it tied at a win apiece with the two sides this season, the decider on Thursday evening at the Etihad will carry even more importance, with a Champions League place up for grabs.

  • Read more

Winner of Manchester derby will make top four says Herrera

United, who are currently in fifth, and one point behind City in fourth, can leapfrog them into the top four with a win, while three points for City will all-but-guarantee them Champions League football.

United will have to do it without Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who is ruled out for the rest of the season – and possibly longer – with knee ligament damage. But out of the players currently available to both managers, who would make a combined Manchester XI?

Scroll through the gallery at the top of the page to see The Independent’s picks for a Manchester XI…

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