2015-07-29 13:46#217242 IWelshWizard : I'm enjoying this too! Well presented story.

Thanks!

One of the most infamous derbies in English football, the Manchester Derby has become one of the most captivating in world football in recent years. From Law's backheel, to the shock 5-1 mauling by City in 1989, Rooney's overhead kick, the Ronaldo penalty to win the Red Devils the title in 2007, the infamous 6-1 at Old Trafford and Van Persie's free kick. It has summoned up some of the most topsy turvy, shocking and exciting games in the recent Premier League era.



Going into this game both sets of fans will be desperate for a victory, which could be crucial at this stage. Going into the game City are leading United, as well as Chelsea, by three points. The champions recently surrendered their 100% league record in a 4-3 away loss to Southampton at the St. Mary's Stadium, meaning that United are the only club to remain undefeated, with Tottenham Hotspurs losing to the Red Devils 3-1 at Old Trafford and Chelsea losing to both Manchester City and Arsenal 1-0.


City's early season form has been scintillating, they've scored goals for fun and look solid enough defensively, Sergio Aguero has been a major reason for this. The Argentina hitman has already scored fifteen league goals with four assists.

After a slow start under Louis van Gaal United have picked up the pace dramatically. They haven't scored a massive amount, but their defence has been extremely tough to crack. David de Gea and Marcos Rojo have been brilliant so far as well as midfielders Daley Blind and Juan Mata.



Undoubtedly the danger man for City is Sergio Aguero, he's started the season like a house on fire and has already scored more goal in the league than he did in the whole of 2012/13. His partnership with Marco Reus has been deadly and instant, coupled with Raheem Sterling, David Silva and Yaya Toure means that United will have their biggest test defensively this season.


With players like Juan Mata, Wayne Rooney, Ander Hererra and Angel Di Maria it's difficult to choose one standout player for United. Rooney is the obvious choice, since he signed for United in 2004 for 30 million pounds he's become a symbol of Manchester United, their captain, their talisman. Other than Rooney there's Juan Mata who joined just under a year ago, he's become the vocal point of most United attacks this season and will likely be the man City most want to stop.



Pablo Zabaleta is of course out of this clash as he is any for a long while after suffering a lowe leg break late in pre season, he will return in March or April at the earliest. Vincent Kompany and Yaya Toure should pass fitness checks after minute worry as to whether they would be ready in time, and Eliaquim Mangala has completed his three match domestic ban after his sending off against West Brom. City's main cause of concern is toward David Silva, with the Spanish magician hoping to fight off a knee injury in time to start, but it looks unlikely that he'll be able to recover in time.


Radamel Falcao is out for the clash, an ankle problem keeps him out, Robin Van Persie should pass a late fitness test to start on the bench at least. Other than that it's a fully fit squad to choose from for Louis van Gaal.


With the pace at which United have counter attacked this season, it is likely that Eliaquim Mangala will start ahead of Martin Demichelis to combat this. Angelino has impressed from right back, but surely Laska wouldn't start him for the derby, against United? The midfield should stay largely the same with the exception of David Silva who is almost certainly out, in his place we believe Frank Lampard will start instead of Wilfried Bony. Who will likely make an impact as a sub if City need his physical capabilities.


United should start with their usually narrow 4-3-1-2 with a rather defensive midfield to set them up for counter attacks. Robin Van Persie will probably start from the bench, opening the door for youngster James Wilson to potentially make himself a hero as he is United's only fit striker along with Wayne Rooney. Expect the ball to go to Juan Mata a lot as he feeds Rooney and Wilson with plenty of chances to score.



City probably edge it in form and quality, but we think that United's home advantage will earn them a 1-1 draw. We expect Aguero to score first, then Juan Mata to equalise late on.

Prediction: Manchester United 1-1 Manchester City

What are your thoughts on the Manchester Derby? Let us know at www.BBCSport.co.uk

Nice update, I'm going to go for a 2-0 city win!

City win, 3-1

Bore draw. 0-0.

Manchester City were victorious in the opening Manchester Derby of the Premier League, but paid a high price for the win. Star striker Sergio Aguero had to be subbed off just before half time for Wilfried Bony after injuring his ankle from a clumsy challenge from Jonny Evans.



There were no real surprises with the starting eleven of Manchester United, other than the often hapless Jonny Evans starting at centre back alongside Jan Vertonghen. Wesley Sneijder occupied the central midfield role with Daley Blind and Marouane Fellaini alongside him. And as expected James Wilson and Wayne Rooney started together up front.


Omar Jones made the surprising choice to start Angelino at right back despite the seventeen year old's lack of experience. As expected David Silva wasn't able to shake off his knee injury in time so Frank Lampard took his place.


The game couldn't have started any better for the visitors, City, who open the scoring just fourty seven seconds in. Yaya Toure raced down the United line before crossing the ball to Sergio Aguero who flicked it on o Raheem Sterling and the England winger applied the finishing touch, scoring at David de Gea's front post.


City continued to dominate but couldn't quite find the final ball and were continuously frustrated by United's deep defensive line and refused to push to far forward in case of a United breakaway.

That was until just before when the defensive line was caught drawn to far forward. Juan Mata was able to play the ball inside Daley Blind as Angelino was in two minds whether to close down Mata or attempt to block his cross. Blind raced past the youngster and expertly rounded Joe Hart to equalise for United. To make matters worse for City Sergio Aguero had to be substituted shortly afterward after Jonny Evans stood on his left ankle, forcing the Argentine to withdraw.


City manager Omar Jones opted to change his teams gameplan to control the match, this prevented the Devils from getting too many breakaways in, as well allowing his side to regroup.

Ten minutes after the game had resumed Yaya Toure played a simple pass across goal to Fernando, the Brazilian did well to flash a shot just wide of David de Gea's goal. But United continued to nerve City supporters as Juan Mata combined with Adnan Januzaj to force a magnificent close range save from Joe Hart twenty five minutes from the end, England's number one sprawled across his goal to smother the ball after a powerful shot from Mata.

Marco Reus was getting a lot of joy against the clearly tiring Luke Shaw and that was used to his teams advantage. With just ten minutes to go Reus put in a deep cross which was met by the head of Wilfried Bony who with a tremendous leap towered above Phil Jones, Jan Vertonghen and Rafael like a human helicopter to head home and make it 1-2 to City.


The end of the game was certainly a hairy time for the loud away support, Juan Mata was a man possessed to win the game for his side. He flashed a free kick narrowly over the bar that had Hart well beaten and set up Angel Di Maria for a golden opportunity just three minutes from the end.

But it wasn't enough, City claimed a hard fought victory at Old Trafford, ending the neighbours unbeaten start and extending their lead over them to six points. We also managed to get some post match interviews with personal from both teams.



''They certainly gave us a run for our money. They played superbly, and if you luck at the last ten minutes we were really lucky to get away with the 1-2 result. But I'm happy nonetheless.''

~Omar Jones (Manchester City manager)

''I think we did not deserve to lose, we played well. But we were not clinical, we need to finish our chances better in the future.''

~Louis van Gaal (Manchester United manager)

''It's fantastic to win, we always want to win the derbies for the fans. It was tough, they played some really good football but we dug our heels in and probably deserved it.''

~Vincent Kompany (Manchester Cty captain)

''It's always difficult to take when you lose a derby, especially when you come so close to winning it. We'll look to improve on this game and move forward.'

~Wayne Rooney (Manchester United captain)

''We came up against a quality side and gave them a really good game, it's a shame we couldn't win. But sometimes it's not meant to be, but we'll be back and we'll improve.''

~Juan Mata (Manchester United captain)

''We played good. Yaya and Raheem were great. We'll go into the next game with even more confidence.''

~Joe Hart (Manchester City goalkeeper)

almost got it... great result nonetheless.

2015-07-29 15:02#217259 CoreyE : Nice update, I'm going to go for a 2-0 city win!

2015-07-29 18:02#217287 Jer : City win, 3-1

2015-07-29 19:29#217300 Jack : Bore draw. 0-0.

Thanks for the predictions guys! Jer and Corey, you guys did well. But I can't believe you didn't think I'd win!

2015-07-31 19:36#217477 Jer : almost got it... great result nonetheless.

Haha yeah you did mate! But not quite It was a great result, Chelsea are the only team close to catching us now.

Fantastic result mate and a great update yet again! Graphics are still impressing me too

2015-08-01 19:32#217569 Welshy : Fantastic result mate and a great update yet again! Graphics are still impressing me too

Thank you! I really tried hard on this update to make it a great one. Haha

Despite a somewhat leaky backline in November we managed to extend our lead at the top to four points over Jose Mourinho's Chelsea. Sergio Aguero returned with a bang at the end of the month wit five goals in two games and is in a strong position to challenge for the Ballon D'Or. In December we end our Champions League campaign away at Schalke and meet United again in the quarter finals of the Capital One Cup as well as our final games of 2014 against Stoke (away) and Burnley (home) respectively.

Important month where you proved your credentials. Class story.

2015-08-03 05:27#217641 Jer : Important month where you proved your credentials. Class story.

It was a very important month. Thank you!

The end of 2014 was fairly successful. We opened up a seven point lead over Chelsea and if we win our game in hand over Mourinho's side we will go ten points clear. The draw for the Champions League has also pitted us against Greek champions Olympiacos who we will play in February and March. January is a big month for our title amitions, with a home tie against Tottenham and away trips to Everton and a title decider against Chelsea. We will also play Wigan in the League Cup semi finals after beating United in the quarter final.