The second and likely final Manchester derby of the 2021/22 season is set to play out on Sunday.
Manchester City head into the clash as obvious favourites as they are currently top of the Premier League and United are gripping onto 4th place by the skin of their teeth.
However, despite the clear change in dominance between the two sides in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson area, the derby has remained a tough tie to call.
Manchester City would win the last one 2-0 at Old Trafford in November, but lost the clash before that by the same scoreline.
Despite this, a City victory on Sunday does seem the more likely outcome this time around.
Now, ahead of the derby, 101 have put together a combined Manchester City and Manchester United XI, which you can check out below.
For the purposes of this piece, we will be using a 4-3-3 formation with one sitting central defensive midfielder.
Goalkeeper – Ederson
David de Gea has certainly improved of late and he has been one of Manchester United’s better players this year – even clinching the Premier League Player of the Month in January.
However, it is hard not to argue that Ederson has been a much more consistent player for several years now and has also conceded the fewest goals in the Premier League this term.
Right-back – Kyle Walker
There was a time when Man United fans likely would have argued that Aaron Wan-Bissaka was a better right-back than Kyle Walker. However, the former Crystal Palace man has arguably declined over the last year whilst Diogo Dalot is still not the most proven PL right-back, leaving Walker as the default option.
Centre-back – Ruben Dias
A fairly obvious choice as he is one of the best centre-backs in the world right now, though he is set to miss this game due to injury.
Centre-back – Raphael Varane
The first Manchester United player on this list. Varane has not set the world alight since his switch to Manchester, but he would surely improve a great deal with better players around him.
Left-back – Joao Cancelo
Though Cancelo is not a natural left-back, it would be criminal to leave him out of the XI.
The Portuguese is crucial to Manchester City’s success, often taking up a free-roaming role and causing all sorts of issues for the opposition with his clever passing.
Defensive midfielder – Rodri
A pretty obvious choice. Rodri has become the successor to Fernandinho at the base of City’s midfield and is doing a superb job. Manchester United, meanwhile, clearly need a new defensive midfielder as soon as possible.
Central midfielder – Kevin De Bruyne
Kevin De Bruyne is one of the world’s best central midfielders, with his pinpoint passing and lethal shooting making him a serious threat.
Central midfielder – Bruno Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes is not having his best season in a Manchester United shirt, but he is still an excellent creative outlet and has scored nine and assisted 14 for the Red Devils this term.
Right-wing – Jadon Sancho
A very strong case could made for Riyad Mahrez to take this spot, but Jadon Sancho has finally begun to showcase his best form for United and, if he is able to reach the levels he did at Borussia Dortmund, he will be one of the PL’s best.
Centre-forward – Phil Foden
Foden is obviously not a natural forward, but he has impressed up top for Manchester City this term and with Cristiano Ronaldo struggling to score and unable to press at the required level, it does not make sense to include him simply for his name.
Left-wing – Raheem Sterling
Raheem Sterling looked as though he could be heading for the exit door at the Etihad this past summer, but he has since rediscovered his best form for City, netting 10 and assisting two in 23 league ties this term. And with Marcus Rashford nowhere near his best right now, there is little competition.
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