As Manchester United and Manchester City prepare for the 170th Manchester derby this weekend, there will be great debate about which side will be the victors, with much of that centring around who has the better squad.
Whilst Sunday’s clash will be decided by the eleven players starting for each team and any potential substitutions, it’s worth looking at which of the Manchester clubs has the better squad. Success in multiple competitions is often down to the quality of the squad, something which both United and City will be striving for this season.
Here, we analyse which side has more in depth quality in each area of the field.
Goalkeepers
United and City both have excellent goalkeepers to call upon- David de Gea and Joe Hart, with the duo being key to the recent successes of both clubs. However, each side’s back-up ‘keeper is not quite as good.
United’s Sergio Romero looked decent as he deputised for David de Gea at the start of the campaign, but errors in a 2-1 defeat to Swansea City in August showcased his tendency to make silly mistakes.
Likewise, City’s Willy Caballero is not the most reliable in goal and, whilst he can make fantastic saves, he is also capable of making a mistake or three.
David de Gea wins this contest for United though, given his outstanding quality. Joe Hart, whilst an excellent ‘keeper himself, simply isn’t as good as the Spaniard, meaning the Reds come out on top in this bracket.
Defence
United and City have both shown moments of real quality and vulnerability in defence this season, but there are still some fantastic individuals to choose from in the backline.
Starting at right-back, United’s Matteo Darmian has made an encouraging start to life at Old Trafford, but is probably not yet of the quality of City’s options in the position. Pablo Zabaleta has been one of the Blues’ best players over the years, and has solid cover behind him in Bacary Sagna.
In central defence, City have a number of excellent options. Vincent Kompany is the leader, whilst La Liga recruits Nicolas Otamendi and Martin Demichelis bring class and experience to the table. Eliaquim Mangala is developing into a great central defender for the club, too.
Chris Smalling is certainly at least as good as any of City’s centre backs, and has probably been the standout performer in the position this term. However, United’s alternatives such as Phil Jones, Paddy McNair, Marcos Rojo and Daley Blind are either yet unfulfilled or unnatural options in the position.
City therefore comfortably win the contest of defensive strength in depth. They have two solid options at left-back as well in Alexsander Kolarov and Gael Clichy, though Luke Shaw would certainly challenge either as the best in the position, although cover is limited for him as we are finding out at the moment. It’s one apiece so far!
Midfield
In recent seasons this would have been a no contest, with City’s midfield regularly outclassing United, even when the Reds were winning titles themselves.
However, with the additions of Bastian Schweinsteiger, Morgan Schneiderlin and Ander Herrera over the last two summers, United are no longer so far behind.
City’s strongest midfield pairing of Yaya Toure and Fernandinho is an enviable one, but the cover for the duo is not of the same standard. Fernando hasn’t had a massive impact on the position since joining last summer, whilst Fabian Delph has struggled for game time since joining this July. Yaya himself is yet to show performances to the level we’ve seen in past seasons, too.
Through virtue of the in depth quality on offer here, United are winners in central midfield. Toure and Fernandinho will be extremely difficult opponents on Sunday, and may even prove to be better than what the Reds have to offer on the day. However, Louis van Gaal has four quality central midfielders at his disposal in Schweinsteiger, Schneiderlin, Herrera and Michael Carrick. Throw Daley Blind and Marouane Fellaini into that mix and it’s consolidated – United win this one.
Attacking midfield
City have so many excellent players supporting their attack, such as David Silva, Samir Nasri and the not quite as excellent Jesus Navas. Add summer signings Kevin de Bruyne and Raheem Sterling to that though and it’s clear City have a real wealth of talent ready to support their forwards.
United too have some quality players in these attacking areas, including the in-form Juan Mata and the more workhorse-like Ashley Young. However, after them come exciting but unproven talents like Memphis Depay, Andreas Pereira and Jesse Lingard, all of whom could develop into great players, but comparing them to City’s established stars would be unwarranted right now.
City therefore win this contest quite comfortably, given the number of players at their disposal in this area with not only talent, but experience, too.
Strikers
City have often had four top quality strikers in their squad over recent years but, after the sale of Edin Dzeko, Stevan Jovetic and the permanent departure of Alvaro Negredo this summer, that is no longer the case.
Despite that, City still have the Premier League’s best striker in Sergio Aguero, and an impressive second choice in Wilfried Bony. Add promising youngster Kelechi Iheanacho to the fold and there is a good mixture of experience, strength, pace and prowess.
In comparison, United have the so far terrific Anthony Martial and another young talent in James Wilson. However, whilst Wayne Rooney was once perhaps the Premier League’s best striker, he is now not near the standard of Aguero in puerly a goalscoring sense; therefore City can be considered stronger here, too
City are 3-2 winners overall in terms of strength in depth, but which side will emerge victorious on Sunday afternoon?
