Sergio Aguero vs Eric Bailly
Pep Guardiola’s sharpest weapon against Manchester United will be their South American forward. His extreme pace on and off the ball and exquisite finishing will be a challenge that United’s high line will find hard to tackle. Against Arsenal, Manchester City could get penetrate only from a half chance, despite dominating the full match in terms of possession and passing.
And Aguero was like a flash of lightning in that counter attack. Not only did he outrun Nacho Monreal with relative ease, but also chipped the ball over an incoming Petr Cech into the back of the net. Aguero has 17 goals till now in 26 league appearances and if talks of him leaving Etihad at the end of the season are true, then he would like to do that best way possible.
Jose Mourinho will have Eric Bailly taking his position behind him and his primary objective will be not to leave an inch of space behind him for the Argentine to exploit. Although Aguero’s twist and turns are dangerous enough for defenders to lunge in inside the penalty box, restricting his free-flowing run could stop him to a large extent. Bailly’s season has been largely injury-plagued and in the little chances that he got, he has won 58% of his tackles.
Kevin De Bruyne vs Ander Herrera
Probably the most important duel of the game, upon which the outcome will largely depend. Stopping the Belgian would be quintessential for Mourinho and if Herrera had a tough time guarding Eden Hazard, defending this playmaker is surely a level up. Though he hasn’t been as prolific as his compatriot this season, his ability to find passes in the attacking third is unparalleled.
And what makes De Bruyne all the more dangerous is the players up front. With the likes of Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling bursting up the flanks at full speed, it will only require a small mistake before United sees themselves one goal down.
Herrera could be brilliant in man marking and winning tackles high up in the midfield, but it is his ability to read the game perfectly, that will matter in this fixture.
Anthony Martial vs Jesus Navas
Martial had spearheaded United’s attack last game and is expected to come back to his original position giving way to Rashford. And his pace on the flanks could be a real danger for City given Guardiola is preferring winger Jesus Navas on that defensive flank of late.
Martial’s trickery could prove too much for Navas to handle as was the case against Alexis Sanchez. And any major slip up there can take away the game from City’s hands.
