Manchester City v Manchester United: Combined XI

Kevin De Bruyne

I have put Man City star Kevin De Bruyne where I think he plays best, on the right-wing. The Belgian began the season out wide to devastating effect. He picked up 11 assists up to December and was a match for no left-back in the league. The problem was Man City were getting run through the middle.

Toure, Fernandinho and Silva were an aging and slowing midfield three. Teams were taking advantage by running at the threesome to great effect. Guardiola made the switch to put De Bruyne in the middle and it has greatly helped City’s ability to control games. The downside is the second half of the season has seen a drop in his goals and assists.

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He is perhaps the best dribbler of the ball in the Premier League and is truly devastating in the counter attack. Man City lead the league in goals from fast breaks and that is largely down to the pace and skill from De Bruyne’s direct running.

Leroy Sane

On the other side of the pitch I have plumped for Leroy Sane in the left-wing position. While there is little to separate Sane and Raheem Sterling in performance it is Sane who normally takes this position. Sterling’s best games this season have come on the right side since De Bruyne moved centrally.

After spending the beginning of the year being used as a sub Guardiola has seen enough growth in the German starlet to have him in the first team. He rewarded his manager with 5 goals since his introduction to the starting eleven. He is a  huge talent who should torture Premier League right-backs for years to come.