The latest instalment of the Manchester derby will take place at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon, with Manchester City welcoming Manchester United in the Premier League.
Both teams were in FA Cup action earlier this week, with Man City thumping Luton Town 6-2 to advance to the quarter-finals, while Man United booked their last-eight spot with a 1-0 success at Nottingham Forest.
Man City beat Bournemouth in the Premier League last weekend, meanwhile, but Man United suffered a 2-1 home loss to Fulham in their last fixture in England's top flight.
Pep Guardiola's side are second in the table, one point behind the leaders Liverpool, while Man United sit sixth, three points behind fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur and eight from Aston Villa in fourth.
There will be a number of the Premier League's leading players on display here, and with that in mind, Sports Mole picks a combined XI from both squads, using only players available for the clash.
Andre Onana's displays for Man United in recent weeks have been much-improved, with the 27-year-old seemingly putting a shaky start behind him, but it is difficult to pick the Cameroonian ahead of Ederson, with the Brazil international enjoying another strong campaign for Man City between the sticks.
There are two Man United defenders in the back four, with Raphael Varane particularly impressive in recent weeks. The experienced centre-back lost his starting role earlier this season, but he is now firmly back in Erik ten Hag's first XI, making 25 appearances this term, and the 30-year-old's experience and leadership have been key to Man United's strong form at the start of 2024.
Diogo Dalot also makes it, switching across to left-back, where he has played at times this season. The Portugal international has been one of Man United's best players this term, making 35 appearances in all competitions, and he is developing into one of the best full-backs in the Premier League.
Kyle Walker gets the nod at right-back, with the 33-year-old again proving to be crucial for Man City this season, making 35 appearances in all competitions. Meanwhile, there is a spot in the middle of the defence for the excellent Ruben Dias, who features ahead of teammates Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji, while Man United's Lisandro Martinez could not be selected due to his absence with a knee injury.
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Kobbie Mainoo has been excellent for Man United since breaking into the side, while Bruno Fernandes deserves a mention, but it is an all-Man City midfield in this combined XI.
Phil Foden has been outstanding for the Citizens this season, scoring 16 goals and registering 10 assists in 39 appearances this season, with no player featuring more times for Guardiola's side this season.
Rodri, meanwhile, absolutely sails into the XI, with the 27-year-old enjoying another impressive campaign. The Spain international has seven goals and seven assists in 33 appearances for the English champions this season, and he has once again been the standout defensive midfielder in the Premier League in 2023-24.
Kevin De Bruyne's appearances this season have been limited, only featuring 12 times due to injury, but he has still managed two goals and 12 assists during the current campaign, with the Belgium international showing his class since returning to action, and there was never any danger of him missing out on this particular side.
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Julian Alvarez is incredibly unfortunate to miss out on a spot in his side considering that he has scored 15 goals and registered 11 assists in 38 appearances this season.
However, for the sake of balance in the side, Bernardo Silva operates off the right, with the Portugal international enjoying another fine campaign, scoring eight goals and registering five assists in 33 appearances. The 29-year-old remains one of the best operators in the Premier League, and Man United will have to find a way to stop him in order to pick up a positive result on Sunday afternoon.
Erling Haaland, of course, also makes it, with the Norway international managing 27 goals and six assists in 30 appearances for Man City this season. Meanwhile, the 23-year-old has five goals and three assists in his three Premier League appearances against Man United.
The final spot in the XI is handed to Alejandro Garnacho, with the Argentine getting the nod over teammate Marcus Rashford down the left. Only Dalot (36) has made more appearances for Man United this season than Garnacho, with the 19-year-old turning out on 35 occasions for the Red Devils, scoring seven goals and registering three assists, and he has shown character during a difficult campaign for the club.
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Matt Law
