UNTIL two years ago, selecting a combined Manchester football XI would have been a no-brainer.

Any pub bore, any barber, any taxi driver could have told you that any combined Manchester XI would be simply United, with the occasional dash of Blue thrown in.

Maybe someone like Uwe Rosler, Georgi Kinkladze or Paul Lake might have got the odd game, but the all-conquering Reds would simply have enveloped their struggling neighbours in any merger of the playing staffs.

But that has changed - dramatically - and it is all down to the petro-dollars of Sheikh Mansour and the astute transfer policy of City boss Mark Hughes.

These days there is real, honest debate going on in those pubs, barber shops and taxis.

Based on the performances so far this season, Shay Given would have to claim the goalkeeper's jersey, for starters. Edwin van der Sar has been a modern great but he is coming to the end of an illustrious career, is subject to the odd rick, and has been out with a hand injury which has left Ben Foster exposed.

By contrast, Given is reaping years of experience in the Premier League and has been outstanding for the Blues, an extraordinary shot-stopper and a keeper with real authority.

In front of him, the job gets tougher. Both sides have had problems with their defences this season, as evidenced by the Manchester derby, with seven goals leaked in total - it made for a classic but not if you were Micah Richards or Rio Ferdinand.

Right back has posed problems for both teams, with Richards left out after his Old Trafford wobble and John O'Shea doing a decent job for the Reds in a position which has become a problem for them as well.

Click here to see United reporter James Robson's selection

But Pablo Zabaleta's form since replacing Richards has earned him a recall to the Argentina squad - and he is the kind of awkward, obstructive, competitive defender that any team needs.

Left back has to be Patrice Evra, one of the best in his position in the world, a consummate attacking force and a quick, dogged defender - Wayne Bridge is powerful going forward but not always convincing on the back foot.

Centre back is also an area which has been tossed into the air this season. Over the last two years, Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic have formed one of the best, most balanced, defensive partnerships in world football. This season, affected by injury and each other's absence, both have suffered serious blips. Kolo Toure, by contrast, has been a rock for City, and has emerged as a powerful dressing room leader, and on current form gets the nod.

With Joleon Lescott not yet vindicating his £24m price tag at City, and Jonny Evans still some distance from fulfilling his potential, Vidic squeezes in - his inconsistency will dry up as the season progresses.

United have traditionally had a powerhouse midfield but this season do not look as impressive as in recent times.

Darren Fletcher has been the pick - he has matured into a fine give-and-go merchant, the man who keeps the Reds ticking, and he gets a place.

But he has to be shunted over to the right-hand side to accommodate the central duo of Gareth Barry and Ryan Giggs.

It is not ideal to have two players who favour their left foot, but Barry has been the architect of City's brilliant start to the season and is emerging as the lynchpin of Fabio Capello's England midfield, while Giggs is enjoying a glorious Indian summer to his incredible career.

That clears the way for Craig Bellamy, a man who has defied the odds to claim his City place, terrorised the Reds on derby day and has been breathtaking for City this season - his link with fellow Welshman Giggs, and Evra, would be a sight to behold.

That leaves the strikers, and the choice is curiously simple.

Emmanuel Adebayor has been on fire for City, reviving the kind of form which made him one of the world's most feared strikers - a tall target man and a pacy predator rolled into one.

The prospect of pairing him up with Wayne Rooney, a skilled footballer with a street fighter's attitude, is one which would thrill any club manager.

Stuart Brennan's Manchester XI:

Shay Given, Pablo Zabaleta, Kolo Toure, Nemanja Vidic, Patrice Evra, Darren Fletcher, Gareth Barry, Ryan Giggs, Craig Bellamy, Wayne Rooney, Emmanuel Adebayor.

Agree with the team? Have your say.

Click here to see United reporter James Robson's selection