City shade it in this Manc dream team
By IAN WRIGHT
Published: 07th May 2012
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And one which would batter Bayern Munich or Chelsea in the Champions League final.
Picking my Manchester XI from City and United was incredibly difficult and I had to leave out some top players.
Joleon Lescott has been outstanding in central defence for City but he was just edged out. Gael Clichy has done well recently and is playing like he was at Arsenal.
Ashley Young and Ryan Giggs are all big players for United, while Micah Richards and Gareth Barry perform in the same style for City.
But they have all been squeezed out of this awesome team. Carlos Tevez would have stood a chance had he played more of a part this season. But, again, he has not made my front two.
It now seems likely City will pip United for the title. That is reflected by the fact City would have six players in my Manchester team — compared to United’s five. Here it is:
JOE HART
Everyone talks about City’s offensive might — but Hart has won a number of points with his brilliant saves.
I have no doubt he will prove to be one of the top three players in the world. The best is yet to come from United keeper David De Gea.
PABLO ZABALETA
He just edges out Micah Richards at right-back. Zabaleta is a no-frills but dependable player who has done well in the big games. He is an excellent team player.
VINCENT KOMPANY
What a tremendous player. It is a shame defenders do not stand a better chance of winning FIFA’s World Player of the Year award because he would be right up there.
He is the man who has helped keep City together this season and, for me, is Europe’s outstanding centre-back.
RIO FERDINAND
I would want a ball-playing defender in my team and Rio is the top choice.
He would be run close by Lescott in terms of getting into the side but I still believe Rio is a top-class centre-half and, if fit, should be starting for England at Euro 2012.
PATRICE EVRA
He has suffered a dip in recent weeks but, over the entire season, the United left-back has still delivered the goods, so he gets the nod ahead of Gael Clichy.
It has been a tough season for Evra on and off the pitch but he has been consistent.
ANTONIO VALENCIA
Would definitely get my nod ahead of Samir Nasri and Nani for the right-hand side of midfield.
He is dependable, incredibly strong and I thought it was a mistake not starting him in the Manchester derby eight days ago. I think he will be even better next season.
YAYA TOURE
One of the mainstays of the City team. Arrived as a holding midfielder but it is his threat up front which has impressed me.
I would like to see Roberto Mancini employ him as a No 10 because, offensively, he is so good. At times, he is unstoppable.
PAUL SCHOLES
Few people expected him to come out of retirement but he made a difference for United.
Ryan Giggs is also a legend but it is Scholes who I would still have in my team. People go on about his tackling but I would rather focus on all his other qualities. One of THE great Premier League players.
DAVID SILVA
Delivered some sparkling displays. Went off the boil for a period but I would still have him on my left-hand side.
I love his vision and, for me, he just edges out United’s Ashley Young.
WAYNE ROONEY
United’s talisman and another good season in the goals department. To score 26 Premier League goals is some effort, only second behind Robin van Persie.
Rooney remains one of the top players in Europe and would get into any side.
SERGIO AGUERO
To score 22 league goals in your first season — as an overseas player — is a stunning effort. Aguero has adjusted so well to life in England and I cannot praise him enough.
He always looked incredibly sharp and, most worrying of all for City’s rivals, he is only 23. He gets in ahead of Tevez.
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