The Manchester Derby pits David vs Goliath. It fashions Pep Guardiola, one of many biggest soccer managers to ever reside, towards Erik Ten Hag, months older than the Spaniard however youthful, newer to the sport. It pitches the hype of Erling Haaland towards the assured dogfight that Lisandro Martinez brings to the desk.
However most significantly, it matches up the would possibly of Manchester Metropolis and the organisation’s regular, environment friendly success towards the downward slope of United’s functioning over the previous few years. Simply on the pitch, Metropolis have so many choices, none higher than the ruthless striker upfront.
Haaland towards Martinez
Lisandro Martinez and Erling Haaland. (FILE)
The Norwegian striker, the luxuriest of luxuries on the disposal of Man Metropolis, will tackle Martinez however the battle between the 2 more than likely won’t happen the place most consider it can. Haaland, the tall striker, will seldom be known as into motion by Metropolis to go up within the air for the primary ball. Quite, he could be used as the important thing on the prime of the assault.
The sphere of engagement for each would be the runs that Haaland makes to a dink excessive of the defence by Kevin de Bruyne, or a crossfield diagonal from the wings. Reducing these balls out from underneath the Norwegian is what Martinez might be tasked with on Sunday.
Eriksen towards Rodri
Christian Eriksen. (File)
Christian Eriksen’s effectiveness and talent to progress the ball from deep within the midfield has led to Manchester United’s wealthy run of kind. After lacking out on Frenkie de Jong, a midfielder who is without doubt one of the prime gamers on the planet to hold the ball from deep inside his personal half to the opposition field, Eriksen was tasked with the function of the playmaker.
Up to now the Dane has been that participant after which some. His intuitiveness on when to hitch the assault to offer the ultimate ball, or when to remain again deep and search for shops additional forward, has been the hallmark of this Ten Hag group. Manchester Metropolis’s midfield, specifically Rodri, will discover it a troublesome night in the event that they aren’t capable of cease Eriksen’s affect.
Martial towards Metropolis’s centre backs
Manchester United ahead Anthony Martial. (File)
This debate isn’t a striker taking over a defender, however slightly how properly a striker can defend towards two marauding centre backs.
One among Manchester United’s revelations in pre-season was Anthony Martial enjoying as a shadow 9. Slipped between the 2 centre backs and immediately on the defensive midfielder who can slot in between the 2, Martial primarily forces groups to be much more cautious when enjoying out the again.
That is essential when contemplating the resume of Metropolis’s defenders. Every of them are within the highest percentile in the case of progressive carries and progressive passes – two metrics that decide how a lot a participant progresses the ball up the sector. These are metrics that outline a number of the greatest gamers on the planet aside from their friends. Each John Stones and Ruben Dias are within the 99th percentile in the case of progressive carries. Aymeric Laporte is in a league of his personal as he’s within the 99th percentile for each progressive carries and passes. Martial’s defensive work towards Metropolis’s middle again pairing is essential to the success of his group.
KDB towards Scott McTominay
Manchester Metropolis’s Kevin De Bruyne in motion. (Reuters)
Kevin de Bruyne continues to be the benchmark for the best modern-day midfielder. A professor of ball progressing, the Belgian provides that further cherry on prime of his play along with his crossfield, grounded, diagonal balls.
Consider Luka Modric’s outside-of-the-boot lob right into a field, and now reimagine that very same go, besides the ball by no means leaves the bottom. Put KDB on the opposite facet of the pitch and the identical go arrives, this time curled into the field whereas the ball by no means stops touching the grass. De Bruyne is beautiful in his excellence and now has the right striker to go with his abilities.
Tasked with making life uncomfortable for him might be Scott McTominay. Having fun with a string of video games underneath Ten Hag after coming underneath fireplace with the earlier two Man United managers, McTominay’s sport has developed this season, particularly on the top the place the ball is at his ft. However a few of his baser instincts of defence, one’s that made Jose Mourinho hand him a debut, might be on name as we speak.
Utd’s wingers towards Metropolis’s full backs
Tempo is the perfect pal of this Manchester United group. Particularly when it comes within the type of some delicate passing within the last third. Whereas Metropolis comply with the Liverpool mantra wherein their full-backs play increased and better up the pitch, the result’s an open avenue for a well-positioned band of attackers.
Using a fast counter has been United’s go-to plan towards Metropolis over the previous couple of years, particularly by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. A extra refined model of that, with Brazilian winger Antony probably being employed by Ten Hag to be the participant on the prime of the United attacking key, could be the plan put into motion.
