Manchester City vs Manchester United: 5 key battles to watch | Premier League 2021-22
Manchester City will renew hostilities with rivals Manchester United at the Etihad as the two collide on Sunday night.
Manchester United were played out of the park the last time the two sides met. The gloomy days that marked the rearend of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's reign as Manchester United manager were starting to settle in. The Red Devils were vulnerable and Manchester City showed them no mercy.
Or perhaps they did because the 2-0 scoreline was far too kind to Manchester United. But they're a much improved team under Ralf Rangnick and even though City are overwhelming favorites going into this one, it'd be silly to write the tricky Reds off.
Manchester United and Manchester City are well-matched on paper
Manchester City have plenty of world-class players. Ralf Rangnick's side are not really short on that front either. On Sunday, the Etihad will be graced by some of the very best in the business.
Without further ado, let's take a look at five key battles that could decide the Premier League encounter between Manchester United and Manchester City.
#5 Riyad Mahrez vs Luke Shaw
Riyad Mahrez has been a standout performer for Manchester City this season. In his last seven games across all competitions for City, the Algerian international has scored six goals and provided two assists. He is a creative force down the right flank with his languid elegance shining through on a consistent basis these days.
Luke Shaw had a rather forgettable first half of the season. The Englishman has looked better since the turn of the year but his form has been nothing to write home about. Shaw was one of United's best players as they beat Manchester City at the Etihad last season.
He provided a lot of attacking thrust from the left-back position and scored a goal. However, the 26-year-old produced a horror show of a performance in the reverse fixture. Shaw will have his work cut out for him trying to contain Mahrez and galloping forward to help his side out in attack as well.
Riyad Mahrez - Something To Prove https://t.co/5WC8Nw2G9R
#4 Bernardo Silva vs Harry Maguire
Bernardo Silva caused Manchester United plenty of problems in the reverse fixture. He snuck into the box and toe-poked the ball home to extend City's lead in the game after a bit of a defensive mix-up between Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw.
Maguire was going through a very rough patch at the time. The Reds' captain has been an improved player in recent months but he will need to be at the top of his game on Sunday.
Silva is not only capable of linking up with his teammates by weaving intricate passes in the final third, but he can also wreak havoc with his movement. Maguire will need to keep an eye on the diminutive Portuguese attacker throughout the game and avoid silly mistakes.
Bernardo Silva is the only player in the Premier League this season with 40+ in the following metrics:
◉ 44 tackles made
◉ 44 chances created
◉ 43 take-ons completed
The best Portuguese player in the Premier League? 🇵🇹