Part of the build-up going into a game like the all-important Manchester derby that takes place tonight at the Etihad Stadium revolves around picking a combined XI of players from both sides.
These types of things always provided debate, with fans divided on who should and shouldn't make the team.
Anyway, we've decided to pick a Manchester XI ahead of the game, as well as opening up the floor to you to pick your team.
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Taking a number of factors into account such as current form, overall quality and opinion, here is the team I've gone for:
Goalkeeper: David De Gea
It's a no-brainer really. Claudio Bravo, while being pretty handy with his feet, has been at fault for several goals Manchester City have conceded this season and he rarely comes up with the heroics that City need when their defence is breached.
David De Gea, who has made the PFA Team of the Year and has the joint-highest number of clean sheets in the Premier League this term with 13, has enjoyed another solid season at United and is comfortably the best goalkeeper in all of Manchester at present, and quite possibly the league on the whole.
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Right-back: Antonio Valencia
Valencia has been a revelation at right-back for United this season and has easily been one of the club's top performers. He has proved to be a useful attacking weapon going forward but the former Wigan man has also improved the defensive side of his game and deservedly takes his place in the side.
Image: PA
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Centre-back: Vincent Kompany
The City skipper has had another campaign plagued by injury but even a half-fit Vincent Kompany probably gets into this team. He's come back into the side and started three of City's last four games in competitions and his influence is there to see when he is in the backline. City fans would love Kompany to come up with the same type of heroics as he produced in the big derby game when City and United were vying for the title back in 2012, in tonight's fixture.
Image: PA
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Centre-back: Eric Bailly
A summer signing from Villarreal, Eric Bailly was voted United's Player of the Month in the first month of the season, though he did have some difficulty and had to contend with a serious knee injury suffered against Chelsea in United's last league defeat back in October. In recent times, he appears to have settled and has become a key figure in the United back four.
Image: PA
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Left-back: Daley Blind
In all fairness, the standard of left-backs in Manchester isn't too great at present. City need to strengthen massively in that area, with Gael Clichy and Aleksandar Kolarov no longer up to standard, while Luke Shaw would probably get a look in this team had he not been in and out of the side so much under Jose Mourinho. Daley Blind, normally solid and reliable, is a safe bet for the left-back berth.
Image: PA
Right wing: Kevin De Bruyne
The Belgian has played a deeper role in his second season at Manchester City which has reduced his overall attacking contribution, but still has five goals to his name and an impressive 17 assists in all competitions as per WhoScored. He was exceptional in the reverse fixture back in September and City fans will be hoping for a similar level of performance from KDB tonight. He takes his place on the right flank, a position he is capable of playing in with distinction.
Image: PA
Centre midfield: Ander Herrera
The Spaniard has become one of the most important players under Jose Mourinho - highlighted by his incredible man-marking job on Eden Hazard against Chelsea a couple of weeks back at Old Trafford. If selected tonight, he'll be key in disrupting City's rhythm.
Image: PA
Centre midfield: David Silva
Pep Guardiola revealed that David Silva is "a real doubt" for tonight's clash and if he is indeed absent as expected, it will undoubtedly be a huge boost for United given that he has tormented them on so many occasions over the years. He's quietly gone about his business and maintained a high level of inconsistency and warrants an inclusion in this time. I feel an all-Spanish pairing of Herrera and Silva is a pretty fine balance.
Image: PA
Left wing: Leroy Sane
Former Schalke man Leroy Sane still needs to improve in a number of areas but after properly starting his season and adapting to life in the Premier League around December time, he's been brilliant down the left flank and a plethora of full-backs have felt his wrath when he's in the mood. The 21-year old has nine goals and three assists to his name this season and was named on the PFA Young Player of the Year shortlist.
Image: PA
Striker: Sergio Aguero
It's strange that Sergio Aguero has netted 27 goals in all competitions this season yet is probably not even Pep Guardiola's first-choice striker if Gabriel Jesus is fit. The Argentine has eight goals against United, including that stunning solo goal in the 2-1 win at Old Trafford in the 2012/13 campaign.
Image: PA
Striker: Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Completing the starting XI is another striker who has 27 goals to his name - that man being Zlatan Ibrahimovic. In his first season in England, the 35-year old has provided the goods in attack for United and was on the shortlist for the PFA Player of the Year award before suffering a devastating knee injury against Anderlecht a week ago that robs him of the chance to add to his strike earlier in the season against City. The big Swede may not play for United again, with a lengthy lay-off expected, but he's more than deserving of a place in the combined XI given his form this term.
Image: PA
Here are just a select few of the many combined XI's that we received from you:
What would your team look like? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section.
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Manchester City, Etihad Stadium, Jose Mourinho, Manchester United, Pep Guardiola
