Ahead of this weekend's huge derby at the Etihad, Goal selects a side made up of the best players from City and United based on their form this season
David de Gea
Ederson has been a key signing for Manchester City, the composed and talented sweeper-keeper that Pep Guardiola requires for his style of possession football. However, while De Gea is not quite as good with his feet, there is arguably no shot-stopper in world footballer with better hands.
Despite playing behind an inferior defence and having to deal with far more shots on his goal, Spain's No.1 has kept two more clean sheets (16) than Ederson, made fewer mistakes leading to goals (zero to two), while his save percentage is also superior (80.99% to 70%).
AdvertisementGettyKyle Walker
Antonio Valencia has been a decent performer for Manchester United but Kyle Walker has been so good that pundits are no longer questioning City's decision to pay an initial £45 million for a full-back. The former Tottenham ace has been a key man for Guardiola's side, providing width and penetration out wide, without ever neglecting his defensive duties.
Indeed, while he may have had a nightmare in European competition at Anfield on Wednesday night, no defender has provided more Premier League assists (6) than Walker, who also boasts a very impressive pass success rate of 87.81%.
GettyNicolas Otamendi
There have still been occasional errors and he was poor against Liverpool in the Champions League but, for the most part, Nicolas Otamendi has been a player transformed this season, a rock at the back for City, as illustrated by his impressively high tackle success rate (73.58%) in the English top flight. The Argentine centre-half has also posed a threat at the other end of the pitch, netting four goals (Chelsea wing-back Marcos Alonso is the only defender to have racked up more), including the opener in City's win in the corresponding fixture at Old Trafford.
However, it is his efficient and effective use of the ball which has most impressed Guardiola, with Otamendi boasting an incredible 91.92% pass success rate.
Adrian DennisVincent Kompany
In light of Eric Bailly's injury issues, and the erratic form of the likes of Chris Smalling and Phil Jones, the fit-again Vincent Kompany gets the nod alongside Otamendi somewhat by default.
In fairness, the Belgian has looked somewhat like his old commanding self in recent weeks, defending with his customary commitment and composure, while at the same time distributing the ball to great effect (his pass success rate in the Premier League is a whopping 92.23%).