For anybody who hasn’t read any of my articles before, particularly the pre-blog ones in HITC and Pundit Arena, the above fictitious team is a blend of players from Manchester United and Manchester City.
In order not to upset any United fans, the name is made up of the first three letters of United and the last two of City. In order not to upset any City fans the name is made up of the first two letters of United and the last three of City. I hope that is clear.
I think this is the article in which this team first appeared:
http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2013/09/23/how-many-of-manchester-uniteds-players-would-have-got-into-the-c/
As I write on Thursday 5th of November, 2015, Manchester City sit top of the Premier league on goal difference from Arsenal and Manchester United sit in 4th position, four points behind.
Not that it would ever happen but, what if Manchester could only have one team? Obviously between the two there would be enough money to sustain all the players and staff but the headaches would come on matchday when it was selection time. Out of the two first team squads, who would make the first eleven?
Based on a 4-4-2 formation, this is, (probably), who I would pick.
As was the case the first time I tried this exercise, goalkeeper was a difficult decision. I think, at present, De Gea just shades it over Hart for no other reason than he is a slightly better shot stopper.
Right full back, (or wing back if you prefer), would have to go to Pablo Zabaleta. I don’t rate Sagna and Darmian is struggling to nail down a place in the United team at present. I won’t even mention Antonio Valencia.
Left full back, for me, would be Luke Shaw. I have never rated Gael Clichy and Kolarov is OK going forward until he tries to beat somebody when he invariably loses the ball. The one I won’t even bother mentioning this time is Ashley Young.
So to the centre backs and again, on current form, I have to go for Otamendi and Smalling. I think Otamendi has settled in very well and is really looking the part. As for Smalling, since he changed his name to Mike, there has been no stopping him. On top form I would probably pick Vincent Kompany before one or the other of these two, but he’s not on top form yet.
OK, right midfield next. This has to be Kevin De Bruyne, given a roving role so he can move around the pitch a bit. Left midfield would have to be David Silva again, like De Bruyne, given a roving role so they could switch occasionally.
In central midfield I would pick Yaya Toure and Bastian Schweinsteiger and tell them just to enjoy themselves, what a spectacle that could be!
The two strikers poses a problem because, with the exception of Aguero, neither team has a stand out striker who would walk into any team. So obviously my first choice is Sergio Aguero and, to partner him I will plump for Anthony Martial. He would learn a lot just from playing with Aguero, so that almost makes it worth selecting him.
So, here’s the team:
1. De Gea
2. Zabaleta
3. Shaw
4. Smalling
5. Otamendi
6. Silva
7. De Bruyne
8. Toure
9. Schweinsteiger
10. Aguero
11. Martial
Then what fun we could have with the subs bench. Hart, Darmian, Kolarov, Kompany, Rojo, Blind, Fernando, Mata, Herrera, Nasri, Navas, Fellaini, Sterling, Fernandinho, Jones, Carrick, Rooney, Bony, Iheanacho, Delph. If I’ve missed anybody out it may be deliberate but, if not, I apologise.
I think this team would do well in the Premier league. City fans will probably disagree as the team they have is already top of the league. United fans will probably disagree with some of the City players I have included, either way this is not a selection I would expect everybody to agree with. On the contrary, I would be amazed if even ten people agreed with me.
So let’s see. What do you think? Is this a winning team or have I got it all wrong? Please leave your comments and, if I get enough, I will report back with the most popular eleven chosen by you guys.
And before anybody asks, NO! there is no point to this, it’s just a bit of fun.
WHY SAY ANYTHING? 