How can United win the derby?

I think we can all agree the most significant result this season other than the result that will get united the premier league trophy was the 1-6 reverse at Old Trafford, probably the most astonishing result I can think of in recent memory.

United fans can say the red card or the fact that united attacked made the result possible but either way nobody in their right mind could have thought that kind of result would be possible ever!

Since that game I have been thinking about the return leg, surely revenge has to be right up there in most united players’ minds especially the old heads but do they have the tools to do it? Rooney for one can hurt them but I can’t think of anyone else.

Then there is the Tevez factor, a former united player, who is also playing like a caged dog looking to get a move away from City, how influential will he be to the result?


For me it comes down to one think how Fergie sets up his team.When united were on a roll and City were struggling I thought Fergie might just go 4-4-2 and tell his boys to stick the dagger in but unless he is crazy I can’t see Fergie playing either Welbeck or Hernandez with Rooney.

Playing Rooney deep will just give Kompany and Lescott an off day, the best I think would be for Berbatov to play behind Rooney and exploit City’s fullbacks. Some will say Scholes but Scholes is a deep lying midfielder and I cant think he will have any effect except releasing Valencia and Nani who I believe Roberto will prepare for by playing Dejong and Barry at each midfield end.

Berbatov will have to be the trump card so that united can gain control of the midfielder. I actually think Fergie will play Giggs, not a popular decision but he is the type of guy who can get something out of nothing in a tight game.

If united go 5 points clear in the Derby I think they will be more nervous as City wont have much to play for and united will know a draw is enough.

Mancini’s selection for the reverse fixture was worth 5 points in my opinion, absolutely perfect. I doubt I have ever seen a manger make the perfect selection for a game at Old Trafford and I have a sneaky suspicion he may play all his 3 strikers against united from the start.

United are very good defensively, players like Rio, even though a shadow of his former self read the game perfectly so players like Nasri wont be effective. What you need is players who shoot early like Carlito did at Norwich and with a keeper like De gea who doesn’t catch his shots cleanly alert players like Sergio and Tevez can exploit that.

If you have noticed the time united are most vulnerable defensively is when the ball bounces in the box.

I know it will sound strange but I would play Tevez,Sergio and Mario from the start with Silva,barry and dejong behind them, then after 60 minutes against a ragged united midfield, probably chasing the game with their thirty something year olds and the slow Carrick, I would bring on Yaya and Nasri.

Thoughts!

P.S. I wonder what bookies will offer odds on a city victory, they will surely be the lowest offered on City in the last 20 years.