Mark Goldbridge named his Manchester United and Manchester City combined XI ahead of the Manchester derby.
On Sunday, United take on rivals City at Old Trafford. Indeed, while both sides come into the game off the back of a Premier League and Champions League victory, City will be firm favourites for the contest.
Indeed, Erik ten Hag’s side has endured a difficult start to the campaign, and languish in eighth in the Premier League.
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And though City, who are second ahead of the weekend, are not at their imperious best, it’s safe to say the United faithful are not confident ahead of the derby.
Their lack of faith is reflected in Goldbridge’s combined XI of City and United players.
Goldbridge prefaced his selection by saying on the United Stand: “In nearly 10 years of doing the United Stand and multiple derby previews, I don’t think I’ve ever not done a combined XI and I don’t think I’ve ever done a combined XI like this.”
The YouTuber continued: “Manchester United versus Manchester City combined XI is Manchester City.
“In the past, I would have always tried to get somebody in but right here, right now, Man City is it.
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“In every position I think they can say, it’s our player. Now that’s quite concerning, isn’t it? Where’s the progress in that?
“Where is the progress in Manchester United if this is the first time I have ever said, ‘It’s a clean slate of Man City players in a combined XI’.
“I know some people have said it in the past but I’ve never really believed that. But right here, right now I think it’s a clean sweep of Manchester City players in a combined XI.
“And that’s a terrible reflection on Manchester United football club. Is it a bad reflection on [Erik] ten Hag? I don’t know about that, but I think it’s a terrible reflection on the football club and how it’s been run.
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“There was a time maybe five or six years ago, where you were getting four or five Manchester United players in a combined XI, but it’s been gradually getting fewer, and now nobody gets in.”
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Featured Image Credit: Getty/The United Stand/BBCTopics: Football, Mark Goldbridge, Manchester United, Manchester City