Match Preview: Manchester City vs Manchester United

Will we be doing the Poznan again come Sunday
afternoon?

Here is your first dose of TSBV's match previews that will be done for every game this season. In each preview, we will give you the our views on the upcoming game and who we consider to be our key player, and the man to watch.

We also are introducing an exciting aspect. For every preview, we will be asking a fan of the opposition to answer a few questions about their team, the upcoming game, and their views on City. Here are some of the key details of the match on Sunday:


Competition: The Community Shield
Time: 2.30pm
Venue: Wembley Stadium

Of course, City face United in what will be the 2nd meeting on neutral ground in the space of 4 months. City won the last showdown 1-0 (video below), guaranteeing themselves a place in the FA Cup Final, which they eventually went on to win. For United, revenge will be on the cards, and although the Community Shield is not as prestigious as the FA Cup, both sets of fans will be desperate to have the bragging rights before the season even kicks off.

The Sky Blue View:


Key Player?

All 3 of us think Silva
will be the key man

Archie:  I think David Silva will be our key player, without that man we lack creativity and imagination. The man creates chances from nothing and moves the play on brilliantly and without him we do not create as much. However, i also think Nigel De Jong is a vital player for us. Last season De Jong didn't play in 7 games and we lost 4 of them, winning only 1. This just shows how vital he is for us and his role generally goes un-noticed but for me he is a key player.


Aaron: Well I hate to sound repetitive, but I have to agree with Archie and say David Silva. The man is beyond description at times, one of the best ever players I have seen in a City shirt, and can tear any defence apart. United will need to mark him tightly if they want anything out of the match


Predicted lineup?
Archie: GK: Hart; RB: Richards; LB: Clichy; CB: Kompany & Lescott; CDM: Barry & De Jong; RAM: Balotelli; LAM: David Silva; CAM: Toure; ST: Dzeko. 


Aaron: GK: Hart; RB: Richards; LB: Clichy; CB: Kompany & Lescott; CDM: Barry & De Jong;  RAM: Balotelli; LAM: Silva; CAM: Yaya Toure; ST: Dzeko


Most dangerous United player?
Archie: I would probably have to go with Rooney, Nani or Young. Nani and Young will be explosive down the wings and will be hard to deal with for Clichy and Richards, however I feel will carry out the job well. Also Rooney is composed in front of goal and could be challenge for the centre backs. Last year Kompany had Rooney in his back pocket all game but unfortunately Rooney just provided that moment of quality, and that's what we have to watch out for.


Aaron: We have looked solid in defence against United on all 3 occasions last season, and without that moment of quality from Rooney, we'd have never of lost against them. For that reason, I have to say Rooney if he plays. Both Lescott and Kompany are capable of dealing with the volatile Scouser, but they can't give him an inch of space, as that is all he needs.


Prediction?
Archie: I think 2-1 to the Blues. I am going into this game very confident having already beaten United at Wembley and I feel that we have a massive chance of claiming the first piece of silverware this season.


Aaron: Well, were so closely matched and I have a sneaky feeling the game will go to penalties. I'd fancy us if it did go the full distance, as our penalty takers all seem to be confident in their ability. Depending on the time Aguero enters the frame, we could sneak it in normal time though. 


"and in the other corner..."
This week, Manchester United fan Youssef Kobbacy has kindly taken up his time to talk to us about United's pre season, and how he rates United will do on Sunday.


TSBV: Hi Youssef, thanks for taking the time out to speak to us. Firstly, how do you rate your pre season has gone so far and who has impressed you the most in your team?
Youssef: Hi Aaron. Well I would definitely say we’ve had a good pre season up to now, especially in America. In terms of our most impressive player, well it’s hard to ignore the usual suspects like Vidic and Rooney but in my opinion Nani and Danny Welbeck have stood out the most in recent performances, so hopefully Welbeck’s loan spell has done him good.


TSBV: What do you make of your new signings as well? And do you think they can help fill the gap left by veterans Paul Scholes and Edwin van der Sar? 

Can United cope without these 2?
Youssef thinks it will be hard

Youssef: All three of the signings (Young, De Gea and Jones) are all very promising ones, but the one I’m most excited about is Ashley Young. I think he will settle into the team quickest despite the strong competition he faces from Valencia, Nani, Giggs and Park. Phil Jones will probably take a while to break into the first team, and when he does get his chance, I believe he will play further forward in more of a holding midfielder role. In terms of replacing Scholes and Van der Sar, I think De Gea has a lot of promise and has the potential to be a long term replacement, but he is only young and we have to give him time. We definitely need to replace Scholes as well with a new centre midfielder.


TSBV: Also, what are your views about City at the moment? And what do you rate of our chances this season?
Youssef: Well I must say that it is the strongest City side that I have ever seen and you now have a range of world class players. For example, David Silva, who in my opinion will be the talisman for you on Sunday. I think that you could finish in the top 2 next season as well as reaching the Champions League quarter finals but this relies on you having a fully fit team throughout the season which is unlikely. I feel you need to sign a more experienced right back and a new winger but apart from that, you are a very strong team.


TSBV: Thanks for the honest comments, now onto the game.... who do you reckon will be your key player on Sunday? 
Youssef: It depends on the situation we find ourselves in, but ultimately our 3 key players will be Rooney, Vidic and Nani. If we are on the back foot I can see Vidic being a key player because he is purely solid at the back and Rooney will also be key in this situation as he can cover every blade of grass and give his all to fight lost causes. However, I think we will be on the front foot for most of the game, making Nani’s creativity a big factor to the game, as he can provide crosses for Rooney as well as putting himself in scoring positions too. Rooney will be the main threat though due to his versatility and the effort he put’s in.

TSBV: And what about your line-up? Who can you see Ferguson starting with against City?
Youssef: GK: De Gea; RB: Fabio; LB: Evra; CB: Vidic & Ferdinand; CDM: Jones; RM: Valencia; LM: Young; CAM: Nani; ST: Rooney & Welbeck. 


TSBV: Finally, what is your prediction for Sunday? 
Youssef: 3-1 to United because of both Tevez and Aguero missing for you. It will be a game of two halves, with City being the better first half, but United completely dominating the second. 


And that is the end for this week. We thank Youssef once again for taking the time out to discuss the match with us. Catch up with us again on Monday where we will give you a full match report on the game, from of course, a Sky Blue View.