Allen Hamilton
Sir Alex Ferguson has already given the final Manchester derby of the season its deserved recognition – "the biggest derby" of his spell at Old Trafford. Now it is up to the players to put on a show worthy of the hype. For the blood, sweat and tears of a rollercoaster season, this 90-minute showdown is poised to be the decisive final act in the Premier League title race.
Manchester United have been here before; Manchester City, league leaders for much of the campaign but now trailing by three points, have not – though they have the advantage of playing in front of their own fans.
Unmissable, epic, pulsating. All these words are applicable, but yet both the stakes and the atmosphere at the Etihad Stadium may rise to a whole new level.
Inside Futbol takes a closer look at the key battles that will be decisive in determining whether it is the blue side or the red side of Manchester earning the ultimate bragging rights:
Vincent Kompany vs Wayne Rooney
Rooney seems to be timing his current scoring spurt perfectly. His partnership with Danny Welbeck has blossomed and Manchester United will look to Rooney to be the difference maker in this clash. Manchester City skipper Kompany is the man responsible for marshalling the home side’s backline and he will have his eyes fixed on Rooney. The Belgian may not mark the England man when he drops deeper, but he will be sticking tight to Rooney in and around the box. City know that if they stop Rooney, it will go a long way towards shutting out the United attack.
Carlos Tevez vs Rio Ferdinand
It is inevitable that Tevez will have a role to play – whether as a starter or off the bench. The Argentine has been a spectator for much of the season but, with past issues seemingly behind him, he is back among the goals and should be the freshest player on the pitch. With Nemanja Vidic out, Ferdinand is the leader of the Manchester United backline and will be keeping a close eye on his former team-mate while also talking Jonny Evans through this high pressure game.
Yaya Toure vs Paul Scholes
This is hardly a fair fight between the 6ft3 Toure and the 5ft7 Scholes – and whichever player dominates possession and tempo will put his team in pole position to take the points. Scholes has been a pivotal cog for Manchester United since his surprise decision to come out of retirement – though the champions’ dependence on the 37-year-old is a worrying sign for the future. Toure is the steel that allows Roberto Mancini to play pint-sized talents like Sergio Aguero, David Silva and Tevez alongside him. The Ivory Coast international should have an advantage against United’s undersized midfield so long as he can push Scholes out of his comfort zone.
Gael Clichy vs Antonio Valencia
Overlooked by many earlier in the season, Valencia has done as much as anyone to drive Manchester United into their leading position over the past few months, proving his worth as a creator and scorer. His pace, dribbling and crossing ability will force Clichy to be alert all evening. But the Frenchman is no stranger to big games and has the speed to match Valencia. Look for Clichy to make Valencia work defensively too with overlapping runs when Manchester City have possession.
Gareth Barry vs Michael Carrick
Two steady performers, both perhaps underappreciated. If Toure vs Scholes gets top billing, this battle is one of the undercards. Carrick has put together another quietly efficient campaign for Manchester United, despite playing alongside numerous different midfield partners. Barry, meanwhile, has rarely caught the eye but has made valuable contributions in a disciplined role. If either man can raise his game to the next level, it could tip the scales in favour of his team.
Given the stakes involved, the early stages are bound to be cagey, making the first goal critical. Manchester United would unquestionably settle for a draw, however sitting back does not fit with Ferguson’s usual game plan. Mancini, on the other hand, knows that anything less than three points will all but end Manchester City’s title charge. Both teams are walking a tightrope.
The Citizens are within touching distance of becoming a lot more than ‘noisy neighbours’ for Ferguson. Winning the key battles will go a long way to achieving that goal and snatching the title champagne away from the champions.
