Man United and Man City all-time greatest Premier League teams

With the 177th Manchester derby on the horizon, it is only natural the debate of the fixture's greatest XI has cropped up again. Manchester United travel to face Man City in the Premier League fixture on Sunday afternoon as Jose Mourinho's side look to cause an upset against the reigning champions of England.

But both teams have produced the best players during the Premier League era. Football devotees from around the world can purchase Premier League Tickets online to enjoy its fabulous actions.

Stuart Brennan

This was tough so many legendary players left out. I still can't justify omitting Eric Cantona, Yaya Toure, Roy Keane, and Carlos Tevez. But I took the coward's way out by picking a keeper who played for both clubs, and it was a tight call between Kyle Walker and Gary Neville at right-back - the City man's extra pace gave him a slight edge.

Then Kevin De Bruyne marginally saw off Keane, as more of an all-round footballer, while I expect that in five years Raheem Sterling and/or Leroy Sane may have displaced Gigs another close call.

Rich Fay

In goal, we already have the first contentious point. Growing up Van der Sar was the standard-setter in the Premier League yes, I am that young. However, the Dutch keeper won 27 major trophies during his career and holds the world league clean sheet record by not conceding a single goal for 1,311 minutes.

For balance in midfield, I have chosen Yaya Toure, Roy Keane, and David Silva. For me, this midfield has the best captain English football has ever seen in Keane, while Toure at his peak was one of the best box-to-box midfielders in the division. There was a toss-up between Paul Scholes and Silva for the final creative spot, but the City maestro edges it for me.

The final selection worth justifying is the striker with Wayne Rooney the choice upfront. Love him or hate him, the veteran attacker is the record scorer in the history of the derby and ever so slightly out muscles the incredible talents of Sergio Aguero.

Liam Corless

Peter Schmeichel and Edwin van der Sar are two of United's all-time great goalkeepers but David de Gea is better than both of them. At right-back, Gary Neville is the obvious choice, while Vincent Company and Rio Ferdinand provide the perfect mix of defensive ability and class on the ball. Honorable mentions for Jaap Stam and Nemanja Vidic.

Patrice Evra and Dennis Irwin are the only real candidates for the left-back berth but I've plumped for the Frenchman who was a mainstay in the team that reached three Champions League finals in four years between 2008 and 2011.

In midfield, Yaya Toure is just edged out by Roy Keane, Paul Scholes, and David Silva. In a couple of years, Kevin De Bruyne might be in the equation but he's not done enough to justify his inclusion just yet.

In the forward positions, I've gone for Cristiano Ronaldo on the right wing with Wayne Rooney shunted out to the left wing to accommodate Sergio Aguero as the lone central striker.

Ciaran Kelly

I went into this thinking selecting a goalkeeper would be the easiest decision but even choosing between three great stoppers made me think aloud - not a great start. I've gone for Peter Schmeichel but David de Gea is well on his way to establishing himself as a United legend.

The back four was pretty straightforward Denis Irwin was Mr. Consistent and Vincent Company just edges Nemanja Vidic out for a bit of blue/red balance. In midfield, Paul Scholes and Roy Keane have to play and David Silva just beats Kevin De Bruyne to that third spot.

There can be few complaints about Cristiano Ronaldo and Ryan Gigs being picked out wide but choosing between Sergio Aguero and Wayne Rooney was tricky. The Argentine gives the side some much-needed City balance - and he's well on his way to surpassing Rooney's goal tally in Manchester.

Samuel Luckhurst

As contradictory as this sounds, Schmeichel and Van der Sar are probably the greater United goalkeepers but neither has defied belief quite as De Gea has. The Spaniard's ability possibly trumps his esteemed predecessors and, although he has just the one title, he has spent longer at United than Schmeichel or Van der Sar.

Neville was one of the most consistent right-backs in Europe for upwards of five years. Ferdinand and Vidic were the best defensive partnership on the planet between 2006 and 2008 and Ferdinand were the finest Center-half in the world during that period. Evra may be reached greater heights than Irwin but the Irishman was Stabler and ahead of his time with his sense of adventure.

Keane was maybe as important to United as Eric Cantona. Scholes is possibly the greatest Greater Manchester-born player in the club's history and Silva has been the best Premier League player since Ronaldo left in 2009.

There has not been a better Premier League goalscorer this decade than Aguero. Gigs' longevity often masked his quality, which became more sparing in his last eight years, but he was still twisting blood in his late 30s. Ronaldo is the most gifted talent United have had since George Best.

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Premier League: What did the Liverpool v Manchester City game tell us?

When the fixtures came out for this season’s Premier League two matches stood out namely both the ones involving Liverpool and Manchester City. Back then it was thought these two teams would once again be the league’s pacesetters and that has been very much the case. Football fans around the world can purchase Premier League Tickets online to enjoy its magnificent performances.

So what if anything did we learn from last Sunday’s game? Klopp is a step closer to claiming Liverpool’s first title of the Premier League era

The game itself

First of all far too many times a game is hyped or overhyped for week’s even months only for it to fail to deliver on quality drama excitement or talking points. That certainly cannot be leveled at the match at Anfield last weekend.

If any game could be described as having everything, then this season’s second meeting if you count the Community Shield curtain-raiser between the league’s heavyweights was that game.

Spectacular goals controversy touchline spats these are the very things the blanket coverage such games attracts before during and after the actual match are built upon and it had them all in spades.

From a Manchester City perspective

There were several takeaways from the game from a light blue perspective. First of all, if the games against Norwich and Wolves did not tell us as much already this game did Manchester City is beatable.

This was a game they had to if not win then at least not lose. It was the sort of game that championship-winning teams find a way to get at least a point from.

It was just the type of game that the Manchester City sides of late made sure they did just that and more often than not came away with all three points.

This is a different side, one with weaknesses and frailties. Still an exceptional side but one that can be got at:

The game showed that at the back especially without Aymeric Laporte Manchester City are vulnerable a word that has not been used in conjunction with the back to back champions for a long time.

It also showed that without Ederson in nets they just do not have the same swagger.

Claudio Bravo is a very good keeper and was not really to blame for any of the goals though perhaps he could have been more decisive for the third he is just not so comfortable playing the ball out and that is such a cornerstone of the way City play.

As a result of that game, Manchester City finds itself at 9/4 to win the title for the third time in a row.

It is the longest odds they have been at for many months and the pressure was showing on the players too many of who lost their one on one battles and on Pep Guardiola himself with his antics after the match.

From a Liverpool perspective

Popular opinion in the summer held that the title could very well be decided by who won the head to head matches between the two favorites.

The reality probably would not be that straight forward but Liverpool passed a huge test last weekend.

Yes, they got the crucial three points, extending their lead at the top of the English Premier League to eight points but they also took a lot more than that away from the match.

This was the type of game they have come up short in all too often in recent times. That was certainly not the case at Anfield. Practically every player won their personal battles on the pitch and by the end, they were playing with a swagger truly befitting champions-elect.

Not that Klopp would allow his players to start thinking like that yet. He is far too aware nothing is won yet and there will be bumps along the way.

Last weekend’s game was a huge show of intent, however. It was a statement that this is not the Liverpool team of old this was one even better than last year’s version. One that not only has the talent and ability to win crucial games but the mindset and confidence to go with it and put it into action:

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Three realistic contenders to replace Unai Emery at Arsenal

Heading into the last international break of the year, Arsenal finds themselves in the sixth position. They’re ahead of Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur and only Sheffield United separate them from Manchester City.

However, Unai Emery’s side is just four points ahead of 16th placed West Ham United. Football devotees from around the world can purchase Premier League Tickets online to enjoy its fabulous actions.

The loss to Leicester City on Saturday means the Gunners find themselves eight points off the Champions League positions. With a tricky December on the horizon, including a run that sees them play Manchester City, Everton, Man United, and Chelsea in the space of two weeks, their season could well be over before the turn of the year unless things change.

Arsenal got off to a good start to the campaign having taken maximum points from their opening two matches. However, since then, Emery’s side has claimed just 11 from the 30 on offer and are currently without a win in four having lost to Leicester and Sheffield United while only managing to draw in games against Crystal Palace and Wolves. 

Patience was the buzzword at the Emirates last season with fans wanting to give Emery an opportunity to put his stamp on the team in the post-Arsène Wenger world. A 22-game unbeaten run helped the former Paris Saint-Germain manager get fans onside. 

Some even compared his first season in charge with that of Jurgen Klopp’s at Liverpool. For a period of time, it looked like Arsenal had found their groove again.

But then with Champions League Football within touching distance, the Gunners stalled at the worst possible time. A spell of four defeats in five, followed by a draw with Brighton, meant Emery’s side missed out on a top-four finish. Their miserable end to the season was compounded with a 4-1 loss to Chelsea in the Europa League final. 

The credit Emery banked early on in his reign was quickly used up and now fans are already eying up possible replacements for the one-time Sevilla tactician. 

Here, we take a look at three possible contenders to take over from Emery if the Arsenal board decides enough is enough. It’s one thing if results aren’t going your way, it’s much worse if the team is lacking an identity and failing to perform. The latter is a problem for the Gunners right now.

An expensively assembled squad into the second year of a manager shouldn’t look as rudderless as it does right now.

Mikel Arteta

The man many expected to succeed Wenger. It was all but confirmed until a last-minute Emery approach changed things. Still, assistant manager at Manchester City, a handful of the media has touted the Spaniard as the successor to Pep Guardiola.

However, the Citizens have recently given former Arsenal left-back Giovani van Bronkhorst a job and reports suggest the plan is for him to take the helm of NYCFC before eventually replacing Guardiola at the Etihad.

Having learned from one of the best in the world, he may feel he needs to branch out and distance himself from the City umbrella. The Emirates would be the perfect platform for him.

Arteta knows the club. He knows the fans and while he lacks experience, he does know what sort of football they expect and how to go about delivering that. It’s a gamble but could be one worth taking if the Gunners want to become a fixture in the top four once again.

Brendan Rodgers

Flying high with the Foxes right now, a move to Arsenal could be viewed as a step down in the current climate. But Rodgers is a man with an ego not necessarily a bad thing – and rebuilding the Gunners, turning them into genuine title contenders, could be something that appeals to him.

Furthermore, the squad available plays into his strengths as a coach. There’s plenty to work with and he’s shown countless times in the past that he can get more out of players and sides.

In the Premier League, these small margins can make a big difference. Having the man-management skills to be able to eke out that extra bit from players is priceless.

It’s also worth remembering that Rodgers was the man who managed to fit Luis Suárez, Daniel Sturridge, Raheem Sterling, and Philippe Coutinho into the same starting XI. He could so something special with Alexandre Lacazette, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and Nicolas Pepe.

Eddie Howe

Howe is an unknown away from Bournemouth. A stint with Burnley he spent close to two years at Turf Moor is the only time he had away from the Cherries since becoming a manager in 2008.

He did a solid enough job with the Clarets, finishing mid-table, yet didn’t really impress. But with Bournemouth, it just works. Howe took the club from League One to the Premier League. Tipped by many to head straight back to the Championship, Howe’s side stunned the masses by retaining their English top-flight status.

Under his watch, the Cherries have developed into a mid-table side capable of causing an upset. Bournemouth has an identity and they have a style. If Arsenal wants an established brand of football, Howe should be a potential target.

This appointment wouldn’t be similar to when Liverpool hired Rodgers. At the time, he had one year’s worth of experience in the Premier League. Albeit a successful one but one that didn’t have the downs needed to help him develop as a manager. Howe, on the other hand, is into his fifth season as a Premier League boss.

He’s suffered the lows and the highs. He’s yet to win a trophy or Gatecrash the top six but that’s near impossible in the current climate. What he has done is take aside from the third division and turn them into a decent Premier League outfit who gives youth an opportunity.

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Premier League: Why Manchester United star Marcus Rushford does not need to be compared to Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham

Marcus Rushford continues to be criticized despite his improving form and the Man United has the perfect opportunity to silence his doubters. When Tammy Abraham scored Chelsea's opener against Crystal Palace last weekend the comparisons started again. Sports enthusiasts from around the world can purchase Premier League Tickets online to enjoy its stunning performances.

It is taken Abraham 21 fewer games to reach Marcus Rushford’s best-ever Premier League goal-scoring record of 10 goals. Another statistic to beat the Manchester United attacker with:

You can see to an extent why it is done. Similar in age both England internationals and play in the same position but what's the point of it? For a shareable graphic on social media or is it more to prove the point that Abraham is the better footballer? Because at times it seems a comparison to make out how poor Rushford is.

The same happened back in 2016 when Rushford was consistently compared with Kelechi Iheanacho who was at Manchester City at the time. Their goals per minute ratio were compared with the United forward being blasted for scoring eight in 1083 minutes of football while Iheanacho had 14 in 826 minutes.

You don't hear of similar comparisons now with Iheanacho only scoring once in 30 appearances in the league last season.

Rushford’s had the burden of scrutiny and comparison since he was handed his debut by Louis van Gaal in 2016 and in that way is hardly surprising he is yet to live up to the high expectations thrust upon him.

This season is already set to be his best yet. He is averaging a goal every other game in the year and his total tally for the season so far is nine just four off his entire number in all competitions during the last campaign.

And he has managed it whilst not playing well for a chunk of the season. The England international went through a poor patch of form while Anthony Martial was sidelined for eight weeks with an injury and was widely and rightly criticized.

"The important thing is what I know. I know what I want to become and what I will become if I keep my mind on it," Rushford said in response to criticism from Michael Owen.

And he had a similar reply when asked if he would be dwelling on the chances he missed in the Europa League clash against Partisan last week.

There were a couple of times where I was half a yard too forward so it was a game of fine margins but we are happy with the three goals, he said. For me, it is about recognizing it and trying to correct it in the next game but I would not let it stay on my mind for too long.

Some of the criticism directed towards the 22-year-old has been just. He does need to improve and missing open goals from six yards out like he did against Brighton on Sunday is not going to help his case but he is shown he has developed over the years.

Martial's return should give Rushford the push he needs to take it on to the next level and their link-up play along with Daniel James has the potential to cause headaches for all the defenders in the league.

With Romelu Lukaku gone and the club deciding not to buy a replacement Rushford can finally silence his critics by proving he has what it takes to be United's top goal scorer.

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Premier League: Three ways Manchester United can line up with Paul Pogba upon injury return

The Man United midfielder is racing towards a return from injury with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer needing to decide how he fits back in. Sports enthusiasts from around the world can purchase Premier League Tickets online to enjoy its stunning performances.

Manchester United's upturn in form has come without Paul Pogba in the team that much is unarguable.

Pogba has been out with an ankle problem since September 30. It looked like a risk when he was rushed back for games against Rockdale and Arsenal and it proved as much before it was wisely decided that he needed a period on the sidelines.

Now after the Frenchman revealed his ankle brace had been removed Manchester United fans are speculating about his speedy return to the side, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to provide an official update next week before the clash against Sheffield United.

Another thing is unarguable. Pogba must return to the side when fit and it is folly to suggest United are better without him. Solskjaer's men need Pogba's midfield control and ability to dominate games but the question is how and where they can accommodate him?

Here are three ways.

Injured McTominay makes way

The first is a very simple way that would come via a piece of bad news. If Scott McTominay's own ankle problem suffered in the 3-1 victory over Brighton on Sunday is significant.

Solskjaer said the injury can keep players for two weeks though conversely, it can sometimes take eight weeks. If it is the latter then there is no doubt United will view Scot's absence as a big blow. McTominay has enjoyed a transformative campaign so far stepping into the chasm left by Ander Herrera in United's midfield and becoming a genuine on-field leader.

Pogba is a different kind of player perhaps lacking in McTominay's scuttling energy but possessing a greater range of passes and the vision to unlock defenses. He could easily slot next to Fred against Sheffield United in the Reds' first game back after the break.

Pereira makes way

Solskjaer has been loath to drop Andreas Pereira this season handing the Brazilian numerous chances in a variety of positions to plug gaps in the Manchester United midfield.

But the truth is with everyone fit does Pereira deserve a spot in United's first-choice midfield?

Despite his fortuitous goal against Brighton, the answer based on the form is no. Fred and McTominay are building a promising partnership at the base of United's midfield and Pogba looks a better bet in the more advanced midfield role ahead of them.

Solskjaer has preferred Pogba in a deeper role so far this season but the France international's best football even under Solskjaer early in 2019 came in a 4-3-3 in which he's given license to roam and create. Many United fans would be excited by the prospect of seeing that system again.

Pogba in a deeper midfield

Even if McTominay is fit to play the next time he and Pogba are both available, there's a chance the duo could operate together in deeper midfield. That would mean Solskjaer makes the very harsh decision to drop Fred.

The Brazilian certainly deserves to keep his spot and it could actually prove disastrous for Solskjaer to upset the balance in midfield with Fred starting to look more confident.

But United have not started Fred Pogba and McTominay together in a game this season. One of Pereira Juan Mata or Jesse Lingard has always been included as a No.10 so don is not surprised if it happens again.

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