United v City: Key battles

Mark Froggatt

May 08, 2009

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UNITED take on City at Old Trafford on Sunday in the 151st meeting between the Manchester rivals with much more than pride at stake.

Mark Hughes’ side come into this weekend's derby on the back of four straight victories as they pursue qualification to next season’s Europa League - with seventh place the minimum requirement.

United, fresh from ending Arsene Wenger’s season, are finally hitting their peak after an impressive 3-1 demolition over Arsenal on Tuesday as they attempt to become the first team to retain their European crown.

Here is a look at the key battles that could decide this weekend's derby.

Christiano Ronaldo vs Wayne Bridge

The Portuguese World and European footballer of the year has seen his form improve hugely in the last month and finally looks to be over the persistent transfer speculation regarding a move to Real Madrid. He has also developed a habit of scoring big goals in big games, most recently against Porto and Arsenal. Ronaldo’s raw pace and power is enough to give any defender nightmares, so Wayne Bridge will need to be on top of his game.

Bridge, a January signing, has settled in well at Eastlands and provided some much need stability on the left hand side. The England international will rely on his vast experience to help control the persistent threat of Ronaldo on Sunday. He usually like to get forward, but his chances might be limited this time.

Patrice Evra vs Shaun Wright-Phillips

After a brief dip in form, Evra has rediscovered his game at just the right time as United chase down a prestigious quadruple of trophies. The French full-back was impeccable against Arenal over both legs of their Champions League semi final, keeping Theo Walcott in his pocket throughout and will hope to do the same against a potentially rusty Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Wright-Phillips will hope to return to Mark Hughes' team after five games out through injury. The winger has enjoyed a successful return to Eastlands after re-singing from Chelsea in the summer and with a long history of Manchester derbies, the England international is well aware of what it takes to overcome City’s fiercest rivals.

Wayne Rooney vs Richard Dunne

Wayne Rooney has netted 12 times in the Premier League this season and is just three goals away from 100 for United. The versatile striker has re-kindled his strike partnership with Ronaldo in recent games, demonstrated by the devastating pace of Ronaldo’s second goal against Arsenal. His movement across the pitch is outstanding and will prove a real handful for Richard Dunne to handle.

Dunne, who has been uncharacteristically inconsistent this season, has finally found his form at the heart of City’s defence. The Irish international will look to use his strength and physical presence to counter the threat of Rooney, but may seek assistance from Nedum Onuoha if the battle turns into a test of speed.

Where to do you think the game will be won and lost? Have your say.

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woolleyback blue, Heart of the City (08/05/2009 at 13:26)

The key to the game is not to do what we did in the first half a COMS and that is stand back and let them play football. VK and deJong need to be in their faces in the midfield right from the start disrupting any rhythm they will try to establish. I'm not going to suggest we clog them like they did to us but pressuring them will unsettle them. I think Robbie and Elano will turn up and we will create chances, fingers crossed we take those chances. Not going to try and predict the score but I'd settle for a draw.

CTID

Pepe (08/05/2009 at 14:15)

I think Ronaldo , WR and Evra will not play against MC. They will be rested. Wigan´s away game is on Wednesday and SAF needs to rotate players.

schgittor (08/05/2009 at 14:34)

In their faces? This is not Sunday League? I thought you were a massive club?

Lets just play football reds, and watch the 50/50 balls/tackles, they will try it, they really will.

watty1976, Manchester (08/05/2009 at 14:35)

will be interesting who marks robbie at right back which id say is utd's weak area at the moment if there is one !, Caicedo seems to have the hardest job playing the lone striker role against vidic & ferdinand so plenty of support from superman & Mr Blumer or SWP if MH picks him head of in form Elano , personally the key battle will be how well vinnie and De Jong can break up utd attacks and be in there faces.... Roll On Sunday !!

Tommy "Chopper" C, Oz. (08/05/2009 at 15:36)

Woolleyback..... Posted the identical thoughts a day or so ago. Plagerism? Seriously you are 100% correct about VK and NDG influence on this game and yes , the brasilians do indeed need to turn up. If we are at our top and continually close them down all over the pitch for the full 90 minutes anything is possible. 2-2 draw is my prediction and I would be best pleased with that outcome {currently paying 23/1}. Like yourself Woolley I am very much for the pro Hughes brigade, do the recent public shows of support for the manager, by various players, give you cause for alarm? Hope it is just the players looking for extensions etc and not anything more sinister, I would be suprised if there was more to it but you never know these days, plenty of examples of the kiss of death when public displays of backing are concerned.

Goatistuta, Manchester (08/05/2009 at 15:49)

Hang on MR MUEN. What about Robinho v Oshea ? or Kompany v Carrick or De Jong v Anderson or Ireland v Feltcher ??? You have just proved your a total rag paper!!!

schgittor, Lets just play football reds, and watch the 50/50 balls/tackles, they will try it, they really will.
Are you suggesting we will play like yr cloggers did at City ? Lets be honest here son Fletcher and Carrick should NOT have finished taht game, they were a disgrace trying to kill little SWP.

woolleyback blue, Heart of the City (08/05/2009 at 16:22)

Tommy "Chopper" C, Oz.
8/05/2009 at 15:36

Great minds think alike?? I think the players being supportive of MH is just that. I can't see any reason for the Sheikh to sack him. The fruits of his labour are beginning to show and he'll be given at least another season to show he can carry us even further on.

CTID

woolleyback blue, Heart of the City (08/05/2009 at 16:26)

schgittor
8/05/2009 at 14:34

Its a polite way of saying if those 2 hatchet men you employed at COMS are being given free rein by another useless ref then our fine upstanding boys should have a quiet word with them about the finer points of football or failing that put them into the 10th row of the stands with a perfectly fair tackle.

p.s. why has your name got a c.g.t.o.r too many letters in it.

CTID

Andrew Shaw (08/05/2009 at 17:09)

Stopping Ronaldo is the key to the game which may mean doing a hatchet job on him like the one the rags did on SWP at our place. I would certainly look to re-inforce the left side because our weakness all season has been playing Rob wide left, which is a position he drifts away from, leaving the left back, whoever he is, over exposed. No doubt SAF will have noted this and MH has to plug that gap and prevent Ronaldo from playing. Nor must we give away stupid free kicks anywhere within 25-30 yards of goal unless Given has an absolute blinder but even the best keepers in the world have no chance if Ronaldo finds his range. Dunne v Rooney is unlikely as the latter will probably play wide left but we must be aware that he cuts inside very effectively. Sometimes, the best form of defence is attack and whilst we mustn't be gung-ho and get caught on the break, the more we can keep them occupied, the less they can have a go at us. Similarly, whenever we don't have the ball, we have to be in their faces all the time until we get it back. No standing off players and no giving them room to play. We'll show them how to play football when we have the ball.

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