Silvestre’s Manchester Derby combined XI features only one Man Utd star

Old Trafford will play host to two fierce rivals this Sunday as Manchester United welcome cross-town rivals, Manchester City.

The blue side of Manchester has had the bragging rights for a good part of the last decade. Pep Guardiola’s men are chasing a fourth successive Premier League title and are fighting off stiff competition from the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool.

Manchester United, on the other hand, are looking to get some sort of stability. They’ve been out-of-sorts in the league, winning five and losing four and currently in eighth place. Erik ten Hag’s men have won three in a row in all competitions and despite being injury-ridden, a win against the reigning champions could be the catalyst for sustained improvement.

We caught up with ex Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre to preview this match. The Frenchman gave us his combined Manchester Derby XI which only featured one player from his former club.

In this article:

• Manchester Derby combined XI
• Man Utd’s Ideal Lineup
• Safer Gambling

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Combined Manchester Derby XI

The former French international only picked one player from his former side in this combined XI – Bruno Fernandes.

The Portuguese midfielder lines up alongside Bernardo Silva and Rodri. Every other position is occupied by a Citizen.

“Fernandes is the only player (from Man Utd). The rest would be City to be honest.”

Man Utd’s Ideal XI

With Sergio Reguilon fit again, Silvestre believes it is a big bonus as United had been using makeshift left-backs while the Spaniard was absent.

“It’s important because you need a left back that is left footed. They played Amrabat and Lindelof. It’s penalising the game for United.”

“Those players are limited as it’s not their position. It’s a bonus for him to return.”

Reguilon features in the XI that Silvestre thinks should start against Manchester City this weekend. Interestingly, he opts for a CB pairing of Raphael Varane and Victor Lindelof, despite some strong showings by Harry Maguire in recent gameweeks.

“Onana; Reguilon – Varane – Lindelof – Dalot; Casemiro – McTominay – Fernandes; Rashford – Højlund – Antony.”

Silvestre believes that Kevin De Bruyne will be a big miss for the Citizens and that can be an advantage for the hosts but also concedes that City have more than enough quality to make up for the Belgian’s absence.

“He’s a massive player for City. He’s a Ballon D’or contender when fit so it’s an advantage for United but City have other players that can fit in and they’ll be dominant in midfield and in possession.”

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SAFER GAMBLING

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