Manchester City v Manchester United Combined XI: Why Paul Pogba Has To Be In Your Derby Team

Manchester City v Manchester United Combined XI: Why Paul Pogba Has To Be In Your Derby Team
15:14, 09 Nov 2018

It is remarkable to see that Manchester United are the biggest price they have ever been to win a Premier League game - the Red Devils are 8/1 to beat Manchester City at The Etihad on Sunday - although a quick look at our combined derby XI gives a hint as to why the bookmakers have priced the visitors so big.

Only three United players make our final combined 4-3-3 line-up for the derby clash and our selections will no doubt have you screaming at your laptop...

Goalkeeper: David De Gea
It is fair to say that we've had far more opportunities to see David de Gea in action, when compared to Ederson, this season as the Manchester United goalkeeper has been kept busy by the ineptitude of the defenders in front of him.

De Gea has made 40 saves in the Premier League so far - the fourth-most of any keeper in the top-flight - and, for us, he is the best No. 1 in the division.

Right-Back: Kyle Walker
This wasn't a particularly difficult decision. Kyle Walker may be prone to the odd brain-fade defensively, but he is a constant menace going forward and significantly better than the likes of the ageing Antonio Valencia, Ashley Young or the raw Diogo Dalot.

Left-Back: Benjamin Mendy
Luke Shaw has improved beyond recognition in a United shirt this season but he still isn't a patch on the forward-thinking Benjamin Mendy, who has laid on five assists in eight Premier League games this season! 

Centre-Back: Aymeric Laporte
Aymeric Laporte has been ever-present for City this season. An absolute rock. 

Centre-Back: John Stones
John Stones' progress under Pep Guardiola has been wonderful to behold and it isn't even a competition when United's Chris Smalling and, the admittedly improving, Victor Lindelof are the apparent rivals for a spot at centre-half in our combined XI.

Midfielder: Fernandinho
Fernandinho may be 33 years old now but few in England do the job of screening the defence better than him, with the creaking limbs of Nemanja Matic unlikely to get in any team ahead of the Brazilian.

Midfielder: Paul Pogba
The infuriating Paul Pogba remains the Marmite figure of Manchester United. The World Cup winner is capable on his day and he just about makes it into this combined XI, mainly because City's Kevin De Bruyne is injured...

Midfielder: David Silva
David Silva keeps on producing the goods for the Citizens. The Spaniard is a constant menace to the opposition, scoring three goals and laying on five assists in the league this term, and he strolls into our team.

Forward: Raheem Sterling
Raheem Sterling is another who has flourished under the guidance of Guardiola, scoring an eye-watering six goals and effecting a further six assists in eleven Premier League outings already.

Forward: Anthony Martial
The recent form of Anthony Martial has reminded everyone what he is capable of and he gets into our team on the basis of his recent form, having scored five goals in his last four league outings. The challenge for the Frenchman is to produce the goods on a consistent basis and in the big games.

Forward: Sergio Aguero
Martial could learn a thing or two from Sergio Aguero, who continues to bang in the goals for fun at this level. The Argentine has already scored seven this season and he obviously gets the nod ahead of Romelu Lukaku, who seems to have forgotten where the goal is.

Man City v Man Utd Combined XI (FootyFormation.com)
Man City v Man Utd Combined XI (FootyFormation.com)
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