Ben: I thought the game overall was very positive from a United point of view. With a makeshift back four and the loss of Van Persie to the squad, I thought United looked in command from the outset and never seemed to be under too much pressure. Rooney’s breath-taking goal will live long in the memory, especially with David Beckham sitting in the crowd and watching another Manchester United star score from around the half-way line. On the counter attack the team looked sharp and incisive, especially when viewing the link-up play between Mata and Rooney up top. Fellaini looked solid in midfield, really proving to previous doubters his ability to break up West Ham’s play and provide a real battering ram when going forward and in the air from set-pieces. Carrick did well in his make-shift central defensive position and Jones looked solid beside him, proving that his real talents lie in commanding the center of the back four. Overall the performance was solid and very positive against a side who have been difficult to break down at home recently. The only negative as Moyes pointed out in his post-match interview was that United didn’t score enough goals, especially with there being far more chances created in the match in comparison to previous performances.
Who has been your player of the season so far?
Adam: It's been a season of two halves for City, and injury has played its part in a Jekyll and Hyde sort of campaign for the blues. That's not to say we've been bad, but a number of players have seen their form decline as the season has progressed. If the question was posed at the start of the season, I couldn't have named anyone other than Sergio Agüero. The Argentine had obviously been consulting his pal Lionel Messi over the summer and his conduct in front of goal was becoming a source of genuine ecstasy for City supporters. Unfortunately, injury has seen him relinquish his battle with Luis Suarez for the Golden Boot and the Uruguayan should pick up the award now. Álvaro Negredo was similarly brilliant, but the fracture to the 'Beauty and the Beast' partnership has taken its toll on the Spaniard who hasn't scored in 12 games. As always, David Silva, Yaya Touré and Vincent Kompany have been immaculate, and I can't ignore the resurgence of Samir Nasri, but I'd have to go with the new man Fernandinho. He's come into a side with such a daunting price tag on his shoulders, but his composure in the midfield has allowed our attacking forces to shine. Brilliant signing.
Ben: Two players really stand out for me this season and it would be hard to pick between the two of them. David De Gea has been sublime in goal, having only one minor blip in the Capital One Cup semi-final against Sunderland. Pulling off some magnificent saves in the Wednesday game against Olympiakos all but put United through to the next round, but if it wasn’t for similar performances throughout the whole season United could have looked at a campaign with far more in the goals conceded and points lost column. The other player is the man who scored the incredible goal on Saturday, Wayne Rooney. Having been given the new contract making him the highest paid player in Premier League history, Rooney has on many occasions this season carried the team on his shoulders. Scoring incredible goals and showing a work rate many fans only dream to see from their whole team, the England star has been inspirational when going forward. Since Mata’s arrival Rooney has found his performances decline a little as Moyes tries to accommodate all of his stars into the team, but this week especially, Rooney has shown his true ability and proved a real threat and invaluable talent in the United squad. Without these two in the side this season, Moyes might have seen his team drop down to a position a lot lower than 7th.
What do you think of your current league position and does it reflect how you’ve played this season?
Adam: Third place in the Premier League with three games in hand on the league leaders can't raise too many complaints, but then you cast an eye over our fixture list for April and realise that the task isn't as straightforward as it may first seem. Pellegrini has flavoured the squad with a ferocious attacking intent I've only ever seen from the Arsenal 'Invincibles' ten years ago, but defensively, we've suffered. Fortunately, our strength in attack has outweighed our weaknesses at the back, but a central defender has to top the Chilean's wishlist as we approach the end of the season. I'm content with Pellegrini - it's his first season in England and he'll soon realise the importance of a sturdy back line. Once we balance the team correctly, we'll be a relatively untameable force. If we're sitting at the top of league after our next four games against Manchester United, Arsenal, Southampton and Liverpool, I'll be ecstatic, but it's a real ask from a squad that appears to be tiring.
Ben: Many fans thought that there would be a minor decline in our position in the table this season, but after watching every game I have to admit I am not surprised by our position and think it is fairly justified. Moyes has struggled tactically in games where United should have closed out the match, losing key points against United, Fulham and Cardiff late in the game. Records have also been broken with regularity, losing at home to West Brom, Liverpool, Swansea, Newcastle and Everton, results that many fans haven’t had the horror of experiencing before. Everyone knew this would be a season of serious transition, especially with the loss of Ferguson and his staff, but I thought there would be a small decline and maybe the team would be fighting for 4th, but never sitting in our current position of 7th place. I have no doubt in my mind that next season will be a different matter altogether, especially with big funds being made available and Moyes being given the time to incorporate his own philosophies into a new look side. I think the one thing that has shocked me though and does raise no surprise about where we are in the table is that quality of the squad. Out wide we have struggled this season and defensively we have had many problems. Players leaving at the end of the season and a host of injuries have caused certain situations like Carrick playing in the back four on Saturday, inconsistencies which have majorly harmed the club. Overall I do think our position is justified, especially with the teams above us buying top quality players and playing far more flowing and aggressive football, but I don’t think it will be the case next season and we will be putting our name into the hat with far more threat about us once the summer is over.
Has the new manager had a desired effect on the team?
Adam: Pellegrini's influence on the team doesn't just exhibit itself on the field, the whole club has benefited from his charm and experience. He bears no grudges, he respects all professionals, and he reveals nothing - it's brilliant. As I said, in an attacking sense we've been irresistable and the introduction of Negredo and Navas has given the side options in both a physical and athletic sense. We're the top scorers in the whole of Europe this season, even after losing Agüero to injury and Negredo to form, so it's difficult to deny that we've upgraded on Roberto Mancini. However, although I wouldn't say Pellegrini has neglected the defence, I feel he has rested his priorities at the other end of the field and we've suffered as a result. Martin Demichelis hasn't been the criminal the media make him out to be, but he's not the answer, and a world class defender needs to brought in to partner Kompany. I like Pellegrini, and although some of his substitutions baffle me at times, I feel he'll only get better as he acclimatizes to the league.
Ben: In all honesty, I don’t believe Moyes has had a strong enough effect on the side to suggest he is the man for the future yet. Showing naïve tactics against Liverpool recently, United have seemed to have lost a cutting edge when going forward, but also a lack of fluency and counter-attacking sharpness this season. There have been moments when Moyes has made very defensive subs to try and close out games which have back-fired, but there have been an abundance of rumours flying around that there have been small bust-ups between players and the manager which will not instill confidence in any supporter’s thoughts about Moyes having a positive influence on the club yet. I have stuck by the manager all season, but there have been points recently where my strength in support of him have started to wane. I was hugely disappointed by his late subs and one-dimensional tactics against Liverpool and felt that in the big games this season we have struggled to match the authority we displayed against the top clubs that was visible in previous seasons. Moyes should be given time, especially with the likes of Vidic, Ferdinand and Evra leaving the side and money in the bank to build his own squad, but we cannot have a season like this again with the funds available and stars such as RvP, Rooney, Mata, De Gea and Januzaj in the squad. All eyes will be on the summer transfer window and the start of next season. After his comments after the match yesterday stating that United will be challenging for silverware once again next season, I am hoping that he sticks to his words and starts showing more flair, excitement on the pitch and also starts meeting the demands and expectations of the clubs and supporters alike.
Do you believe there are any areas in the team or the overall club that need improving?
Adam: The blues are in desperate need of a centre back and a central midfielder. As many football fans would agree, Yaya Touré may be the hardest midfielder to replace in world football, and the unique qualities he possesses are yet to be seen in any other box-to-box midfielder in European football. Fortunately, the Ivorian has a tasteful record with injury, but with only Javi Garcia and Jack Rodwell to replace him should he suffer from any unexpected niggle, we lack the required strength to maintain our performance level without him. William Carvalho, Blaise Matuidi and Fernando have all been linked with the club in recent weeks, and if reports are to be believed, the two Manchester clubs will lock horns for the 21-year-old Sporting Lisbon midfielder in the summer. I'd also like to see Eliaquim Mangala fill the gap in the centre of defence. He's left footed, big, strong and knows how to play the ball, and right now I couldn't think of a better, more capable companion for Vincent Kompany.
Ben: With regards to the squad and the imminent departures I think there are some quite big positions that need strengthening next season. Losing Evra, Vidic and Ferdninand at the back, and Buttner not being the best replacement for the Frenchman, United will need to strengthen their back four considerably. I believe Jones’ best position is at CB and should be given a chance to solidify that place next season, but I also think that if United were to get someone with the experience and quality of Garay alongside him then United would have a much more consistent and fortress-like defence. I also feel the potential acquisition of Shaw would be an incredible coup if it were to happen. Having a youngster with such talent would be a massive boost to the squad and could be a player that could cement his place in United’s history for years to come. Fellaini has started to show strong signs this season of being able to strengthen a struggling midfield, but the centre of midfield need further improvement. Links with Kroos and Carvalho have been very strong in recent weeks and a midfield like that next season would certainly worry the top teams, if these rumours actually did come to fruition. The wingers haven’t been good enough this season and this position is an area that needs to be strengthened, but it’s too early to see if Moyes will change the formation to accommodate Mata, Rooney and Januzaj in a tighter line behind the main striker. Whilst we are strong in attack, the potential departure of Hernandez may mean that we need acquire another top striker, especially if Robin Van Persie is as injured as he has been this season.
Recall your favourite Derby Day result
Adam: The Mario Balotelli orchestrated 6-1 has to be mentioned, purely for the humiliation we cast on Ferguson. The result came at a time where the Scot was beginning to ripen with smugness in his old age, and the performance really let him know that the 'noisy neighbours' were only going to get louder. More importantly, it wasn't a freak result, and our superiority on the field was rewarded with a mouthwatering scoreline. Another that pops out at me is the 1-0 semi-final win in the FA Cup three years ago, mainly because I was there. Derby day triumphs are becoming all the more familiar with City fans nowadays, but that only increases the fear factor that little bit more. The blues have never gone into a Derby day clash so clearly as favourites, and the pressure rests on our shoulders going into Tuesday night's clash. Another thrashing at the swamp would do me.
Ben: Two stick in my mind for different reasons. The first was the 2-1 win when Wayne Rooney scored the overhead kick in 2011. In was deemed a real motivational push for United in attempting to stay top of the table and after losing to Wolves the previous week it was the perfect way to win a tight-affair against your fierce rivals. The game was very balanced and full of dogged tackles and entertaining football. United struggled to deal with Silva and Toure in midfield, showing signs of letting the two midfielders tear them apart, but Rooney’s finish will live long in the memory as one of the best goals I have seen. The fittingness of it being in a derby game and open the gap to seven points over City made the result taste even sweeter. The other game was the 4-3 win in the 96th “Fergie-time” minute in 2009. It was, I believe, one of the most entertaining and open derby games for a long time. The match ebbed and flowed on a knife edge and was a real display of two teams providing the fireworks expected from two of the tops clubs in the Premier League. After Bellamy scored a very nice finish in the 90th minute I honestly felt the game was going to end in draw, deemed a far better result by City fans than United’s. After Owen came on later in the game the whole crowd erupted in scenes of complete elation as he coolly netted to end a truly sensational game. I only hope that the game on Tuesday is anything like one of these two!
Who has been your opponent’s best player of the season and who poses the most danger to you on Tuesday?
Adam: There's a guy City fans get into a pickle about before every clash with the arch-rivals, and that's Wayne Rooney. He's scored 11 goals in 24 appearances against us, and the impressive record evidences his influence on the Manchester United team. In my opinion, he's David Moyes's most sharpened weapon and although Robin van Persie scores the goals, Wayne Rooney creates them. Without the Dutchman on the field tomorrow night, I expect Rooney to conduct United's tempo and pose the biggest threat to our back line. Manuel Pellegrini must make a conscious effort to nullify the threat of the forward, and Vincent Kompany could be the man to do just that. However, we must also be wary of the threat Mata carries. It's not happened for him in the red shirt as of yet, but no one can deny the Spaniard's quality.
Ben: I think for this big occasion one of the payers I am most worried about is Kompany. I believe that right now there is no defender better than him in world football and is the difference between us getting anything upfront from the game or nullifying any attack we start. His dominance over Messi in the first leg of the Champions League should open everyone’s eyes to how good he is and if he is on his game I think it will be hard for the likes of Welbeck, Mata and Rooney to get any real forward momentum in front of goal. Another player I will be worried about is Silva. He has been in sensational form this season and I believe that he has been probably the best central midfielder in the league and around Europe this season. His vision and precise passing are a real threat when going forward and he seems to be able to create key opportunities in front of goal at ease for one of the strongest strike forces in the league. Having a knack of scoring big goals too, Silva could be key in unlocking the United defence that may be bit-part if we can’t get our leading men in defence fit for the game. The last player is Yaya Toure. A midfielder that has tormented us in previous fixtures I always believe that he could embarrass us at a moment’s notice on Tuesday. He always turns up for the big occasions and even though this fixture may not hold as much importance as previous occasions, any chance to gain bragging rights over United this season makes me believe he will have a big part to play on match day. Out of the three of them I would worry most about Kompany. City will always be able to create opportunities with the array of attacking talent they have, but if Kompany is on the same sort of form seen on so many occasions this season it will be hard for United to break the wall down and be a real attacking threat on Hart’s goal.
Predicted line-up and result
Adam: Pellegrini seems content with the 4-5-1 formation we usually adopt away from home, and I don't see him changing his tactics before such an important game. Sergio Agüero and Matija Nastasić are City's only absentees, and Edin Džeko has recovered from illness to become available for the squad. It's a tough choice between the Bosnian and Negredo up top, but Džeko's recent performances have impressed be more than the Beast's.
Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany, Demichelis, Kolarov, Fernandinho, Yaya, Silva, Nasri, Milner, Džeko.
A resurgent United side will be hopeful of rectifying their shocking home form, and I expect them to give us a real game.
I'll go for a narrow 2-1 win for the blues.
Ben: I am not quite sure who we have fit in defence at the moment, with Smalling most likely out, Evans still injured and Ferdinand picking up a late scare against West Ham, but if players are available for the match then this would be my team: (4-2-3-1)
De Gea, Rafael, Jones, Vidic, Evra, Carrick, Fellaini, Welbeck, Mata, Januzaj, Rooney.
As for the result, with a bit of confidence behind them after a positive week both in the Champions League and Premier League I believe this won’t be as straight forward for City as many think. United will not want the embarrassment of the 4-1 loss at the beginning of the season happening again and being the underdogs in the match might suit David Moye’s men a little bit more. United have to learn from the Liverpool performance and show more attacking intent when going forward and a bit more creativity when taking it to City. They will also have to show a lot more maturity in defence and try to work as a squad to disable any opportunities for Silva and Toure to slide in any through balls or take a shot from distance. The game may prove to be a tight affair and I really hope that we show up on the day and make a real go of it on Tuesday evening.
It will be tough, but being the optimist and believe that United will really take the game to City, therefore I am I will go for:
Manchester United 2 – 1 Manchester City.
