Manchester United will be extremely disappointed they don't have more margin for error coming into the game having dropped points at Wigan Athletic and, more disappointingly, last week at home to Everton.
That has enabled Manchester City to close the gap, but this is the first time they will be playing under any kind of pressure since their 1-0 loss to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium earlier in the month.
Below, I will set out what I feel will be the keys to the outcome of the game, will provide a link for the preview I have of the game and also the final pick of April.
Keys to the Game
The Midfield battle: As with any Manchester United game of real importance, Sir Alex Ferguson has to make the correct choices in the problematic midfield positions to ensure they are not overrun in that area.
The biggest key will be making sure the movement of the likes of Yaya Toure, David Silva and Samir Nasri are accounted for at all times- they dynamic pass and move midfields like Barcelona last year, and Athletic Bilbao this year have made United a little static on that front and they cannot afford to leave the space between midfield and defence that the likes of Silva and Nasri will look to move into.
With Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez up front, they will make the little runs that can be hard to track for defenders, so United must cut off the supply by clogging up the space in front of the defence and not allowing Silva and Nasri to turn and face the defence.
We saw in the Bilbao game how easy it is for teams to get at United if they have men exploiting the spaces they leave behind the midfield and that could be a terminal problem for the title challenge if they do the same today.
I wouldn't be surprised if Sir Alex starts Wayne Rooney on the left to make sure that the likes of Carrick, Scholes and AN Other have enough bodies in the middle of the park where City like to do their best work.
That system will turn into a 4-3-3 on the attack with Rooney and Valencia being able to support Danny Welbeck who should be the furthest player up front.
The Counter Attack: This is going to be where United are likely to find their most success in this game and they have to be smart with their decision making when going forward. City are likely to leave a few spaces at the back and we have seen the likes of Sunderland and Sporting Lisbon really exploit the gaps behind the full backs that will need to push on for space.
IF United can clog up the midfield in the manner described above, that means the most space City will have is in the wider areas, an area in which Micah Richards and Gael Clichy will be expected to move into... That is when the likes of Wayne Rooney and Antonio Valencia will have to be ready to provide a quick outlet for the United team when they win the ball back and look to get in behind the City midfield.
There were occasions that Wolves managed to find themselves in healthy 3 on 4 situations and with both Sunderland and Sporting Lisbon also exploiting these situations, it looks the best way for United to get a foothold in this game.
Being clinical in front of goal: I think it is fair to say that the City front two of Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez are a little more clinical than United's Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck, but I think the last of those players is the one that can make or break it for the away side.
Welbeck looked like a real finisher when he first moved up to the senior team and while his overall game play has come on leaps and bounds, he can be a little hit or miss in front of goal at the moment.
United will need him to have his shooting boots on tonight as there is a lot of pressure of being the main forward in games like these- I am expecting Wayne Rooney to have to put in a big shift for United defending and perhaps playing wider when United do go forward, so it will be on Danny Welbeck's shoulders to get in amongst the two centre backs.
The young England striker has scored against City in the Cup this season, while also getting a big goal at Arsenal, so he does have it in him, but he must show full composure tonight and take any kind of chance he gets.
Set Pieces: This is interesting as City do look a real threat from set pieces with the size of Toure, Lescott and Kompany and all three have been amongst the goals in these situations. I expect United to counter that by bringing in Chris Smalling at right back to offer more protection from corners and free kicks that will be put in the box.
On the other side, I think this could be an area where United can enjoy some success too, especially if City go with the smaller side and use the likes of Clichy ahead of Kolarov and Tevez instead of Balotelli.
Chelsea managed to get a goal from a set piece against City in a game here last month, while United have always put in great stock in this part of the game.
Who can handle the pressure better: This is where United will feel they have the edge as they have plenty of players that have been there and done it in the past when it comes to winning the Premier League title and so I do expect a very experienced side to be put out by Sir Alex tonight, one containing the likes of Ferdinand, Evra, Giggs, Scholes, Carrick and Rooney.
City, on the other hand, really crumbled a little under the pressure of having to achieve results last month and in the early part of April, but look back to their best recently.
However, this is the first time they will be under any real pressure again as they know a win is the only result that matters- it will be interesting to see if they have mentally toughened up from a few weeks ago for a game of this magnitude and it could be the absolute key to the game.
It is a cliché, but the first goal is going to be absolutely crucial tonight- if United get it, it will be very interesting to see how City react, while if City get it, will they really start believing?
Manchester City v Manchester United Preview (http://goonersguide.com/football-pick-14028-Manchester-City-v-Manchester-United.htm)
MY PICK: Score Draw @ 6.50 Bet Victor (1 Unit)
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