MY ACCOUNT
One of the Premier League’s most iconic derbies headlines the weekend as Manchester City host old foes Manchester United on Sunday.
While many of the recent bragging rights have gone to the blue half of the city, the Red Devils remain undoubtedly the more successful club historically.
That makes picking a Premier League era combined XI no easy task, with a host of the division’s greatest stars plying their trade with the two sides.
Read on to see our selections and let us know what you think.
Goalkeeper: Peter Schmeichel (Manchester United)
While Peter Schmeichel played for City later in his career, it is an extraordinary eight-year stint with United that makes him a must-pick.
The iconic Danish stopper won five Premier League titles as well as a Champions League trophy during his time at Old Trafford and will have no problems barking orders from between the sticks for this team.
Right-back: Gary Neville (Manchester United)
Gary Neville is the most decorated right-back the Premier League has ever seen and that sees him edge out Citizens pair Pablo Zabaleta and Kyle Walker.
A feisty and committed character who is now a famed pundit, his talent as a footballer remains somewhat underappreciated.
Centre-back: Vincent Kompany (Manchester City)
Who better to be the first pick from the Citizens contingent than their legendary captain Vincent Kompany?
The domineering Belgian was the true leader of the club’s rise to the top following their takeover in 2008, lifting first ever Premier League title in 2012 before adding a further three to his collection.
Centre-back: Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United)
Partnering Kompany in a sturdy pairing at the back is former United and England skipper Rio Ferdinand.
Ferdinand was one of the finest ball-playing centre-backs of his era and his formidable defensive abilities made him a stalwart at the back for many years.
Left-back: Patrice Evra (Manchester United)
Providing some energy from the left side of our defence is another United legend in Patrice Evra.
The Frenchman was as effective at making an impact in the final third as he was at dealing with the catalogue of tricky wingers he came up against during his time in the top flight.
Central midfield: Roy Keane (Manchester United)
This team is already packed with leaders and we have one of the greatest ever sitting at the base of our midfield.
Roy Keane was legendary boss Alex Ferguson’s lieutenant on the field who set the standards for the other players to follow — and the Irishman was also a supremely talented footballer.
Central midfield: Paul Scholes (Manchester United)
Just as it was when playing together for the Red Devils, Paul Scholes is the perfect man to complement Keane’s skill set in the centre of the park.
No player could hit a pass like the midfield technician and with 107 Premier League goals to his name, his effectiveness in that side of the game was perhaps underrated.
Central midfield: Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
The modern game’s master of creativity, Kevin De Bruyne is one of two current stars to make our XI and completes an unplayable midfield.
Belgian maestro De Bruyne has 91 assists and 58 goals since returning to the English top flight with City in 2015 and remains one of the division’s best players.
Right forward: Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
Wayne Rooney is forced into an unfamiliar right-sided position in this XI but that is unlikely to stop him from being a threat.
The former captain is United’s greatest ever goalscorer after finding the net 253 times but his impact in numerous title-winning sides under Ferguson extended far beyond that.
Striker: Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)
To City’s greatest ever in front of goal now and it is hard to think of many players more pivotal to their modern success than Sergio Aguero.
A total of 184 Premier League strikes, numerous talismanic displays and that iconic title-winning moment in the 2011-12 season mean he will always be regarded as a legend in East Manchester.
Left forward: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
Cristiano Ronaldo completes our stellar XI in a close-run battle with another legendary United No7 in Eric Cantona.
The Portuguese superstar developed into one of the world’s best players during his first spell at Old Trafford, winning three Premier League titles, before hitting an impressive 18 goals on his return last term.
Substitutes
Edwin Van der Sar, Kyle Walker, Nemanja Vidic, Yaya Toure, David Silva, Eric Cantona, Andy Cole, Dwight Yorke
Do you agree with our line-up? Let us know by tweeting @LiveScore.
