A combined Manchester XI: who makes the cut?

A few years back, coming up with a Manchester XI would have been very much straightforward; most of United’s players would have made the cut.

In the last couple of years, however, City backed by Sheikh Mansour’s riches, have finally come out of their bitter rivals’ shadow. Boasting an impressive squad full of internationals, the sky blues can now match their neighbors- man for man.

Were the two teams to merge today in a 4-2-3-1 formation, just who would make the first team?

David de Gea

The red devils’ keeper seems to have fully settled in England, and was even named in the PFA team of the year last season. He narrowly beats Joe Hart mainly based on current form.

Pablo Zabaleta

City's Mr. reliable is the perfect model for consistency. He rarely gets caught out of position and is far more experienced than any of United’s options on the right.

Rio Ferdinand

Aged 35, the Englishman is still going strong and playing some of his best football. A classy centerback with excellent ball-playing ability, he makes the team at the expense of Vidic who has been dogged by persistent injuries.

Vincent Kompany

As solid as ever, the former Hamburg man is one of the best in the business, and arguably the best centerhalf in Manchester. The Belgian captain is a very good reader of the game and rarely mistimes a tackle.

Patrice Evra

In the battle of the Frenchmen at leftback, Evra edges out Clichy on account of his superior experience and pedigree. 

Yaya Toure

Yaya Toure is the only one of his kind in world football, and no midfielder the whole of Manchester comes close to even touching him. The Ivorian monster would improve any team in the world.

Michael Carrick

The former Tottenham man has really come to his element the last couple of seasons. The cog that keeps United’s midfield together, Carrick is as good a passer as you would find anywhere in the world.

How he doesn't make the England first team is anyone's guess.

David Silva

The diminutive Spaniard takes the spot on the right of the three spots behind the striker. The former Valencia player is still a class-act and on his day can unlock any defence.

Wayne Rooney

Wazza has been around for quite some time now and it’s hard to believe he is just 28. He seems to finding his form and on his day can be unplayable. In our Manchester combined, Rooney fills the number 10 role.

Sergio Aguero

Full of pace and power backed by a low center of gravity, the Argentine can be a real handful. He takes the left-wing where he can cut in from and shoot.

Robin Van Persie

Top-scorer in the league for the last two seasons and still banging them in this term, no-brainer really.