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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Robbie Savage

Just two Man Utd stars are even in debate for Manchester derby combined XI

For the first time this century, if I picked a combined City-United combined XI on the eve of this weekend's Manchester derby, there might not be room for a single red shirt.

And that says everything about the power shift along the Mancunian Way since Sir Alex Ferguson retired.

This fixture has often favoured the away side, and Manchester United's record at the Etihad is very good.

In the Premier League era, they have won more, scored more and kept more clean sheets in the derby.

But most of those stats are a reflection of Fergie's supremacy when he ruled English football. This time, I can't see anything but a Man City win.

It's quite amazing: when I sit down to consider a combined XI based on this season's form, only two United players even get in the frame.

David de Gea has enjoyed a busy season for Man Utd (2022 Getty Images)

Goalkeeper David De Gea has been United's most consistent performer, which says a lot, but Ederson is way out in front 15-7 on clean sheets in the Premier League.

And without Cristiano Ronaldo's 15 goals, United's season would look even more threadbare – but could I justify picking a 37-year-old ahead of Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden, Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez?

By most measurements, a combined City-United XI right now is a wipe-out. It's not just a Blue Moon, it's a full moon.

Since Sergio Aguero's famous last-gasp winner snatched the title away from United in 2012, the shift from Old Trafford to the Etihad in terms of trophies has been startling.

Yes, United won it the following season to send Sir Alex into retirement in glory, but look at the honours box since 2014: City have won four titles, seven cups and reached a Champions League final; United have won the FA Cup, the League Cup and the Europa League.

And the gap appears to be widening.

For me, despite Ronaldo's contribution (and Chris Sutton calling me his 'fan boy'), United's biggest problem this season has been in the final third.

Have Your Say! Who makes your Manchester derby combined XI? Tell us here.

Things are not going perfectly for Cristiano Ronaldo (Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Jadon Sancho (two Premier League goals) has not hit top gear, Edinson Cavani (two goals) has been injured, Marcus Rashford (four goals) has been off the boil and Mason Greenwood is suspended.

Critics say United can't press with Ronaldo in the team – but they don't press when he's out of the side, either.

What they have done well in the past at the Etihad is to hit City with pace on the break, and that is their best hope this time – as long as they are more clinical in the box, unlike last weekend's wasteful finishing against Watford.

Interim manager Ralf Rangnick must pick his big players for the big occasion. That means Ronaldo and Paul Pogba, for starters.

I cast my mind back to that catastrophic 5-0 home defeat by Liverpool, when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer left Pogba on the bench and only brought him on when they were 4-0 down. That's not the way to go against City.

But I'm still struggling to make room for a single United player in my combined XI, and I never thought it would come to this.

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