Man City v Man Utd: Manchester derby all time XI named - and it's controversial | OneFootball

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·30 September 2022

Man City v Man Utd: Manchester derby all time XI named - and it's controversial

Article image:Man City v Man Utd: Manchester derby all time XI named - and it's controversial
Article image:Man City v Man Utd: Manchester derby all time XI named - and it's controversial

The first Manchester derby of the 2022/23 season takes place on Sunday afternoon as Manchester United travel to neighbours Manchester City in the Premier League.

The clash at the Etihad Stadium will see a number of debutants in the historic fixture.


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Tyrell Malacia, Lisandro Martinez, Christian Eriksen, Casemiro and Antony are all expected to make their derby day bows for the Red Devils, while superstar striker Erling Haaland is set to do the same for City.

Each newcomer will be intent on leaving their mark on the occasions, but who are the greatest performers in Manchester derby history?

It’s a question that Livescore recently attempted to answer as they named their combined all time XI for the fixture.

Naturally, it’s a star-studded line-up – and we’ve taken a look at it below.

GK: Peter Schmeichel (Man Utd, 1991-1999 & Man City, 2002-2003)

DR: Gary Neville (Man Utd, 1992-2011)

CB: Rio Ferdinand (Man Utd, 2002-2014)

CB: Vincent Kompany (Man City, 2008-2019)

LB: Patrice Evra (Man Utd, 2006-2014)

DM: Roy Keane (Man Utd, 1993-2005)

Article image:Man City v Man Utd: Manchester derby all time XI named - and it's controversial

CM: Kevin De Bruyne (Man City, 2015 – present)

CM: Paul Scholes (Man Utd, 1993-2011, 2012-2013)

RW: Wayne Rooney (Man Utd, 2004-2017)

LW: Cristiano Ronaldo (Man Utd, 2003-2009, 2021 – present)

CF: Sergio Aguero (Man City, 2011-2021)

Only two players that will feature in Sunday’s match make the line-up (De Bruyne and Ronaldo).

It’s a side dominated by Man United players who served under Sir Alex Ferguson with only three Man City title winners featuring.

Article image:Man City v Man Utd: Manchester derby all time XI named - and it's controversial

That means there was no place for the likes of former City favourites Yaya Toure and David Silva, while United legends Eric Cantona and Nemanja Vidic also missed out.

The XI caused plenty of debate on Twitter with many City supporters upset at the absence of Silva and Toure, while others took issue with Neville being preferred to Kyle Walker at right-back.

We’ve included the best of the fan reaction below.

Article image:Man City v Man Utd: Manchester derby all time XI named - and it's controversial
Article image:Man City v Man Utd: Manchester derby all time XI named - and it's controversial
Article image:Man City v Man Utd: Manchester derby all time XI named - and it's controversial
Article image:Man City v Man Utd: Manchester derby all time XI named - and it's controversial
Article image:Man City v Man Utd: Manchester derby all time XI named - and it's controversial
Article image:Man City v Man Utd: Manchester derby all time XI named - and it's controversial
Article image:Man City v Man Utd: Manchester derby all time XI named - and it's controversial

Of course, the above line-up could look very different in a few years’ time if some of the two sides’ current crop of players continue to impress.

The existing front line of Ronaldo, Aguero and Rooney is formidable, but it will become increasingly hard to deny Haaland a spot if he carries on scoring goals in the blistering fashion that he has at the start of his City career.

United fans will also be hoping that a few of their summer arrivals ultimately become club legends and can push for inclusion into such XIs in the future.

Although big derby matches inevitably stir up memories of the past, Sunday’s match will provide us with our first true measurement of where both Manchester sides stand in relation to each other this season.

It promises to be a mouthwatering occasion.

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