ONE of the biggest games of the season looms tomorrow where Manchester United hosts the league leaders Manchester City. Expect fans all over this country which is basically split into two parts, United supporters and the Anything But United camp, to be eagerly awaiting this match. 

Manchester City are the runaway league leaders who will be expecting a tough away fixture here. United have the pace and attack. Some of their attacking play of late has been a joy to watch, although their recent improvement in that area just happens to have coincided with Paul Pogba’s return.

The fact he is suspended is a blow to Mourinho, and any football fans watching (even City fans have to admit this). But with Jesse Lingard, Anthony Martial and/or Marcus Rashford flying forward behind Romelu Lukaku, United have an abundance of pace – the one thing Vincent Kompany, John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi fear.

Also in set pieces City have been seen as vulnerable and United can count that as one of their strengths. The game plan might be as simple as defend deep and try to hit City on the counter. A draw would suit City but I don’t think Pep actually knows how to play for a point and will be looking at breaking down the United defence and even if they do there will be David De Gea waiting as Arsenal found out last weekend.

The height advantage also favours United as Jose has a few imposing players at his disposal so City would do well to avoid silly fouls that lead to set pierces in dangerous areas of the pitch. City have been grinding out results these past few weeks and Jose would have taken note of how teams like Huddersfield and West Ham defended against them until eventually being worn down. Expect a thrilling affair that every potential Sunday league manager will do well to take notes from.

The Merseyside Derby on the other hand in my opinion would be a more one-sided affair as Liverpool are flying in terms of scoring goals for fun and their “Fab Four” are right now unstoppable even in Europe.

Big Sam though will be trying to pull one over the “Soft German” and would have been tirelessly working his players on defending deep and pushing the Liverpool players wide and to hit them on the counter. Every team that has visited Anfield have basically gone home with nothing but a good hiding and expect Everton not to buck that norm.

The front four of Salah , Firminho, Sane and Countinho are the basis for all the attacks but in defence they still have a soft centre which will give Everton some hope if at all. – December 9, 2017.

* Gogulan Dorairajoo is manager of KL Galaxy FC and an all-round football pundit with a passion for the world’s greatest sport. He also happens to be a long suffering fan of Aston Villa FC.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.