United vs City squad comparison 2016/17

[Riz]

I think the title will be heading to Manchester this season as I don't see any of Arsenal, Chelsea or Spurs being able to compete with us and City. Whilst pondering this I arrived at the conclusion that we have the strongest squad in the league (on paper), so what with the disadvantages of our Europa League commitments I think the title will be a very close run race. Upon arriving at my conclusions I compared our squad with City's:

Goalkeeper
The easiest verdict to reach, De Gea is simply the best in the world for me therefore even if Bravo does settle in immediately it still wouldn't swing it City's way.
Verdict: UNITED

Defence
I've split it into full backs and centre backs in my mind. For full backs it's clear we have the best one of either squad in Shaw and what with Valencia's resurgence (hopefully continuing) I'd call it a draw because despite City's wealth of experience across Sagna, Zabaleta, Clichy and Kolarov, simply put I think all 4 are past their best. It's just our backups in Darmian and Rojo leave a lot to be decided. As for centre backs I think we quite comfortably lead the way, Smalling, Bailly, Blind surpasses Stones, Otamendi, Kompany. Done us both a favour by excluding Jones and Mangala.
Verdict: UNITED

Midfield
After keepers this was the next simplest decision. Again we have the best midfielder of either squad in Pogba and our remaining options of Herrera, Fellaini, Schneiderlin and Carrick make for a pretty well balanced selection. City will be relying on Gundogan to return well from injury but even given that happening they still only have Fernandinho, Fernando and Delph. Schweinsteiger and Yaya cancel each other out as neither look like featuring or playing any sort of substantial role this season.
Verdict: UNITED

Attack
This was extremely tight, largely due to the similarities in our arsenals e.g. Ibra and Aguero star men, Rashford and Iheanacho up and coming. De Bruyne is simply league's ahead of Rooney as the main playmaker but similar could be said for Martial and Sterling. Silva perhaps takes the edge over Mkhi at this time purely based on his experience in the league whilst the impact of our squad players (Lingard, Memphis, Sane, Navas) is yet to be seen whilst Nolito looks like a steady addition. I confess I do see City scoring more than us this season so I'll give them the edge.
Verdict: CITY

What does everyone think? It's quite clear to me now I've laid out my thoughts which is why I'm surprised so many pundits keep saying City's squad on paper is the best. I think they have an abundance of riches in attack but it's a very top heavy squad, there's question marks over their defence and midfield for me.

 

[Minimalist]

Aside from Dave in goal I think you could argue either way for defence and midfield. Forwards I grant you City probably do edge it with Aguero in there.

Quite even though, trying to be objective as I can be.

 

[pixel]

GoalKeeper: United. Nothing to discuss really.

Defence: I think its fairly even. Bailly looks promising, but is yet to be tested against a quality attack. And I am not convinced about either Smalling or Blind being a top quality CB. I thought Stones looked good in the opening fixture. We do have got the better option in Shaw.

Midfield: It depends on whom you choose to include or rather which positions. De Bruyne and Silva are both AMF. So if you do include them then again its hard to call. De Bruyne/Silva/Fernandinho/Gundogan look better than Pogba/Fellani/Herrara/Carrick.

Attack: I think this is interesting. IMO it depends upon how long Mourinho puts up with Rooney or conversely does Rooney find some semblance of form. Also if Martial can replicate his form from last year and hopefully improve on it, considering it is his 2nd year, then we could have a very tasty attack. Ibra/Rashford/Martial/Mkhi/Mata/Rooney/Lingard could potentially be as good as Aguero/Sterling/Sane/Navas/Iheanacho.

 

[charlton66]

Goalkeeper - a lot closer than it was now that City have signed Bravo but De Gea wins out.

Defence - I don't think this is close. We have a right winger playing right back, a left back coming back from serious injury, a centre back who's a brain fart away from doing something dumb (Smalling), a young, raw possibly future great defender (but it's still only potential) in Bailly and Blind who it could be argued his best position is not in defence. City are better.

Midfield - I don't think this is close either especially if Gundogan stays in the treatment room and De Bruyne and Silva are considered attackers. United are better.

Attack - On paper I think City are much better but on the field I think it may end up being closer than people think especially if Rooney can somehow find his best position on the bench. City are better.

 

[Burrow]

Goalkeeper - a lot closer than it was now that City have signed Bravo but De Gea wins out.

Defence - I don't think this is close. We have a right winger playing right back, a left back coming back from serious injury, a centre back who's a brain fart away from doing something dumb (Smalling), a young, raw possibly future great defender (but it's still only potential) in Bailly and Blind who it could be argued his best position is not in defence. City are better.

Midfield - I don't think this is close either especially if Gundogan stays in the treatment room and De Bruyne and Silva are considered attackers. United are better.

Attack - On paper I think City are much better but on the field I think it may end up being closer than people think especially if Rooney can somehow find his best position on the bench. City are better.

This is the weirdest post I've seen on this forum for quite some time.

 

[lysglimt]

Goalkeeper - a lot closer than it was now that City have signed Bravo but De Gea wins out.

Defence - I don't think this is close. We have a right winger playing right back, a left back coming back from serious injury, a centre back who's a brain fart away from doing something dumb (Smalling), a young, raw possibly future great defender (but it's still only potential) in Bailly and Blind who it could be argued his best position is not in defence. City are better.

Midfield - I don't think this is close either especially if Gundogan stays in the treatment room and De Bruyne and Silva are considered attackers. United are better.

Attack - On paper I think City are much better but on the field I think it may end up being closer than people think especially if Rooney can somehow find his best position on the bench. City are still better.

I can't understand your verdict on defense. Stones have never been more than a big talent - and was poor last season. Kompany is always injured. Otamendi was brilliant in Spain but has yet to show anything like that here. As for fullbacks - we have a Shaw on his way up - all City's are past their best. As for Smalling doing something dumb....yes he did in 2 or 3 matches last season - but was very good in 80% of his matches.

 

[sun_tzu]

looking at it slightly differently If I had to pick a 25man squad using players from both sides Id go with

GK: De Gea, Bravo, Romero (2 united, 1 City)
FB: Shaw, Sagna, Clitchy, Valencia (2 United, 2 City)
CB: Kompany, Smalling, Bailly, Stones (2 United, 2 City)
CM: Pogba, Gundogan, Fernandinho, Toure (1 United, 3 City)
AM: De Bruyne, Rooney, Mkhitaryan (2 united, 1 City)
Wide: Silva, Mata, Sane, Martial (2 United, 2 City)
Fw: Aguero, Zlatan, Rashford (2 united, 1 city) though i could just as easily have picked ihenecho

So for me 13 united and 12 City - but as I say the Rashford decision was very close so it could easily go the other way - In my opinion the squads are pretty close in quality and depth...

the 11 in bold are the ones i would try and shoehorn into a fully fit first team (5 united and 6 City) - again not much in it at all... I suspect injuries / fitness and mental attitude / how the players are managed will play a big part in which squad ultimately does better (as well as city with cl commitments and do we take the EL seriously or not)

 

[Obiorahking_]

Defence - I don't think this is close. We have a right winger playing right back, a left back coming back from serious injury, a centre back who's a brain fart away from doing something dumb (Smalling), a young, raw possibly future great defender (but it's still only potential) in Bailly and Blind who it could be argued his best position is not in defence. City are better.

Valencia has definitely been better than Sagna/Zabaleta
Shaw is much better than Kolarov and Clichy
Smalling has been great for us this past two seasons, Blind and Baily have also done a pretty good job in recent years as well. Compare that to City where Kompany has been shit for how long now. Mangala is very inconsistent, but mostly shite. Stones is average. Otamendi was pretty terrible last year.

Other way around buddy.

 

[Andy_Cole]

This is the weirdest post I've seen on this forum for quite some time.

Possibly the worst post I've seen. His not yours.

 

[pseudo_canadian]

Goalkeeper - a lot closer than it was now that City have signed Bravo but De Gea wins out.

Defence - I don't think this is close. We have a right winger playing right back, a left back coming back from serious injury, a centre back who's a brain fart away from doing something dumb (Smalling), a young, raw possibly future great defender (but it's still only potential) in Bailly and Blind who it could be argued his best position is not in defence. City are better.

Midfield - I don't think this is close either especially if Gundogan stays in the treatment room and De Bruyne and Silva are considered attackers. United are better.

Attack - On paper I think City are much better but on the field I think it may end up being closer than people think especially if Rooney can somehow find his best position on the bench. City are better.

Absolutely horrific analysis.

 

[RedPed]

Makes me laugh how people are not allowed to have/express opinions on here as if the people rebuffing them are bona fide experts! Ah well.

Regarding the OP, I think we have the slightly better attack as City would be relying on Aguero being on form but City have the better all round midfield if he's going to include Carrick and Schneiderlin in there. It's horses for courses really. It would probably be more accurate comparing starting XIs as squads are going to be rotated during the course of the season.

But I think our squad depth is better than City's now.

 

[Obiorahking_]

Makes me laugh how people are not allowed to have/express opinions on here as if the people rebuffing them are bona fide experts! Ah well.

To be fair much of the evidence he was using to create his evidence were either false or irrelevant.

 

[LFC-Fans]

I think there's some bias in the original post concerning defence/midfield, hard to avoid being a fan honestly. But I think it's closer than you think. I think you could make arguments for either defence and midfield.
Up front, I think City still edge it.

Close though.

 

[Massive Spanner]

I think City maybe slightly edge it, but they are a lot more reliant on Aguero than we are on any individuals and I think how many games he plays (fully fit) will decide the title.

 

[Obiorahking_]

Silva, Debruyne, Sane, Nolito, Sterling, Aguero, Ihena easily beats Rooney, Miki, Zlatan, Rashford, Martial, Lingard, Mata, Depay

I don't think the midfield battle is close at all really. I think we win that.

 

[Sean_RedDevil]

Goalkeeper: United
Defence: City
Midfield: United
Attack: City

 

[charlton66]

Absolutely horrific analysis.

Okay, I'll break it down. Valencia was/is a winger and has been shoehorned into the right back position because Darmian has not really lived up to expectations. He's done well there for the most part but it's not been that long ago where large swathes of the Caf wanted him sold. Given the choice I'd choose Sagna right now. If Valencia can keep up the level he's shown so far this season then maybe I'll change my mind. On to Shaw. I think he may end up being a very good player. However he has just come back from a very serious injury. If he plays to the potential he showed at Soton and his early form of last season then he'll be a good 'un. However, because he has just come back from said injury things may not go as swimmingly as everybody seems to think. I hope it does but let's wait and see. Having said that I'd still probably choose Shaw over anybody from City.

As to the centre of defense. Bailly has played two games TWO, and yet people are already writing he is the next coming of Nemanja Vidic. I think he may turn out to be a very good player, but please let's wait and see. City on the other hand have just bought John Stones for 47 million pounds. Yes he is overpriced but Pep Guardiola must think he's worth it and no matter what people think of my "weird" analysis, I'd take Pep's opinion over yours and other peoples' on the Caf. Chris Smalling is a decent to good player but is massively over-rated on here. When you've been used to Ferdinand and Vidic for so long, Smalling is certainly nowhere near their level. Blind has done well at United, no doubt, but it wasn't long ago people on here were predicting that he'd be a casualty of the new Mourinho regime. He is a jack of all trades and has done a decent job at United but once again see comment above related to Ferdinand and Vidic. Kompany on the other hand while having his injury problems is only 30 years old and if he can get back to anywhere near his best then he would be better than anybody we currently have. Thus right now I'd probably choose Kompany and Stones. Hence my analysis.

Jeez, United fans can be touchy sometimes. Any criticism and its almost like somebody shot your dog. Almost RAWK levels!

 

[Stactix]

City wins in attack.

Utd win everywhere else.

On 'paper' City win defence although thats based on how much has been spent on that defence.
but based on last season performances.. its not a contest seriously.

Stones - Awful (You can blame the manager but how many times was he caught on the ball? dithers more than Valencia does at times. )
Mangala - Awful
Kompany - more time injured than fit & even when fit hes not as good as he once was.
Otamendai - Imagine he'll be better this season but very inconsistent last season.

Smalling/blind - few bumps in the road but consistent pretty much all season.
Then Bailly who is certainly gonna get a few reds this season but hes been immense so far.
Fullback wise, City were better last season but that's without Shaw. Who i rate higher than all of City's fullbacks.
Valencia has been the best right back so far this season. Excellent in Preseason to.

 

[charlton66]

Possibly the worst post I've seen. His not yours.

I love hyperbole. Unless you don't get out much of course.

 

[NK86]

Goalkeeper: United
Defence: City
Midfield: United
Attack: City

How is their defence better than ours?

 

[Sean_RedDevil]

How is their defence better than ours?

Valencia or Sagna: Sagna
Darmian or Zabaleta: Zabaleta
Kompany or Smalling: Kompany
Bailly or Stones: Bailly
Otamendi or Blind: Otamendi
Mangala or Jones: Mangala
Shaw or Kolarov: Shaw
Clichy or Rojo: Rojo

 

[Shark]

I think we win everywhere aside from attacking options, but even at that you have to consider that they won't always have Aguero and Silva has looked passed his best for a good while now. I'd rate Martial higher than Sterling easily, however De Bruyne will win a lot of games for them on his own I feel, and it remains to be seen rather Miki will do that.

 

[NK86]

Okay, I'll break it down. Valencia was/is a winger and has been shoehorned into the right back position because Darmian has not really lived up to expectations. He's done well there for the most part but it's not been that long ago where large swathes of the Caf wanted him sold. Given the choice I'd choose Sagna right now. If Valencia can keep up the level he's shown so far this season then maybe I'll change my mind. On to Shaw. I think he may end up being a very good player. However he has just come back from a very serious injury. If he plays to the potential he showed at Soton and his early form of last season then he'll be a good 'un. However, because he has just come back from said injury things may not go as swimmingly as everybody seems to think. I hope it does but let's wait and see. Having said that I'd still probably choose Shaw over anybody from City. As to the centre of defense. Bailly has played two games TWO, and yet people are already writing he is the next coming of Nemanja Vidic. I think he may turn out to be a good player, but please let's wait and see. City on the other hand have just bought John Stones for 47 million pounds. Yes he is overpriced but Pep Guardiola must think he's worth it and no matter what people think of my "weird" analysis, I'd take Pep's opinion over yours and other peoples' on the Caf. Chris Smalling is a decent to good player but is massively over-rated on here. When you've been used to Ferdinand and Vidic for so long, Smalling is certainly nowhere near their level. Blind has done well at United, no doubt, but it wasn't long ago people on here were predicting that he'd be a casualty of the new Mourinho regime. He is a jack of all trades and has done a decent job at United but once again see comment above related to Ferdinand and Vidic. Kompany on the other hand while having his injury problems is only 30 years old and if he can get back to anywhere near his best then he would be better than anybody we currently have. Thus right now I'd probably choose Kompany and Stones. Hence my analysis.

The amount of contradictions in that post to "prove" the point of your original post is baffling.

On the one hand you are unsure about Shaw because he is coming back from an injury but Kompany's constant injury problems are not noteworthy.

Then you say Bailly has played "two" games (but conveniently forget he was excellent for Villareal last season), but are saying Stones is better than him because Pep has bought him (again after conveniently forgetting that Jose bought Bailly so unless you are saying your opinion is better than Jose's, it's again lopsided and contradictory).

Smalling is "average to good and overrated here" but you are doing just the same with Stones. Blind has been very good for us last season and yet you simple cast him aside because the caf thought he wasn't good enough earlier (the same caf whose opinion you shrugged off in Stones' case).

There ate many more such which I really cannot be bothered to put it here as I am on my phone. In short, your analysis was very lame.

 

[NK86]

Valencia or Sagna: Sagna
Darmian or Zabaleta: Zabaleta
Kompany or Smalling: Kompany
Bailly or Stones: Bailly
Otamendi or Blind: Otamendi
Mangala or Jones: Mangala
Shaw or Kolarov: Shaw
Clichy or Rojo: Rojo

Valencia or Sagna: Sagna, could easily be Valencia. Sagna hasn't been great for City.
Darmian or Zabaleta: Zabaleta
Kompany or Smalling: Smalling (Kompany is always injured and not really that great anymore. He is living off his past reputation)
Bailly or Stones: Bailly
Otamendi or Blind: Otamendi
Mangala or Jones: Mangala
Shaw or Kolarov: Shaw
Clichy or Rojo: Rojo

That makes it very even with a slight edge to United because the RB position is unclear for me.

 

[Red Stone]

Goalkeeper - a lot closer than it was now that City have signed Bravo but De Gea wins out.

Defence - I don't think this is close. We have a right winger playing right back, a left back coming back from serious injury, a centre back who's a brain fart away from doing something dumb (Smalling), a young, raw possibly future great defender (but it's still only potential) in Bailly and Blind who it could be argued his best position is not in defence. City are better.

Midfield - I don't think this is close either especially if Gundogan stays in the treatment room and De Bruyne and Silva are considered attackers. United are better.

Attack - On paper I think City are much better but on the field I think it may end up being closer than people think especially if Rooney can somehow find his best position on the bench. City are better.

What the feck? If you're going to talk down the United defence in every possible way at least do the same for the City defence.

Defence - I don't think this is close. They have a right back who is aging and nowhere near as good as he used to be, one defensively suspect left back and one left back who can't attack, a centre back and captain who struggles with constant injury problems, two centre backs who are nowhere near living up to their price tags and a youngster who is all potential and is also defensively suspect. United are better.

See how ridiculous that is?

 

[ChaddyP]

Goalkeeper - a lot closer than it was now that City have signed Bravo but De Gea wins out.

Defence - I don't think this is close. We have a right winger playing right back, a left back coming back from serious injury, a centre back who's a brain fart away from doing something dumb (Smalling), a young, raw possibly future great defender (but it's still only potential) in Bailly and Blind who it could be argued his best position is not in defence. City are better.

Midfield - I don't think this is close either especially if Gundogan stays in the treatment room and De Bruyne and Silva are considered attackers. United are better.

Attack - On paper I think City are much better but on the field I think it may end up being closer than people think especially if Rooney can somehow find his best position on the bench. City are better.

so we lose at right back because Valencia is an ex winger. That's your analysis... ok... we lose out at left back because Shaw was injured but has returned and looks even better than before... but he was injured so his actual performance is what... irrelevant? now we have a center back that's a brain Fart from doing something done as per your analysis... but stones is what exactly? a shining pillar if confidence and mistake less? and the rest is about Bailly being raw and you not knowing blinds best position... therefore City are better.... did you even read what you typed?

 

[Brightonian]

The defence goes United's way, and it's not that close. I'm not in the camp who expect Bailly to be world class based on two games, but by the same measure I've managed to retain the memory of the 80% of last season when Smalling was either the best CB in the league or the second best behind Alderweireld. At this point saying 'if Kompany can stay fit' is a bit like saying 'if Schweinsteiger comes back fit and playing like he did at the world cup'. It shouldn't be considered likely. And for the last three seasons Sagna has only ever been as useful a fullback as Valencia tends to be, i.e. solid and unlikely to make many mistakes, but a drain on attacking momentum. Whereas Valencia is showing signs of being something more than that this season. Plus regardless of whether or not Shaw is 'coming back from injury', he already looks a significantly better option than old Zabaleta.

Honestly if I had to pick four players to be my back line for the season, taking into account whether they're actually likely to be available to me, I'd probably go with Valencia Smalling Blind and Shaw. The first three have all been very reliable fitness-wise over the last two seasons, and Shaw's injury was from a bad tackle rather than any proneness. Meanwhile the latter three were part of the most impressive backline to feature for more than a handful of games in a row last season for any team (our opening spell of the season, when we were nigh on impenetrable.) Yes, if Kompany's fit he gets in for Blind, but that's it really.

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

Goalkeeper - Unite
Defence - United
Midfield - City
Attack - United

Bench - United

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/539047/FIFA-17-Man-United-City-ratings

 

[Riz]

I think there's a debate to be had about both sides defences and that's largely due to all the unknown's: Bailly and Stones development, Shaw's return from injury, Kompany's constant injuries etc etc.

However I'm surprised at people questioning whether our midfield trumps theirs? I'm not counting De Bruyne and Silva as midfielders cause they're primarily attackers, for the same reason I'm not counting the likes of Mata and Mkhi.

Pogba, Fellaini, Herrera, Schneiderlin, Carrick, Schweinsteiger

Vs

Gundogan, Fernandinho, Fernando, Delph, Yaya

It's not really a contest in my eyes?

 

[bosnian_red]

Ill give points out of 10 for every position and then tally it what is best IMO.

Gk is de gea easily, even though Bravo is a good keeper. 10 for United, 7 for City.

Rb: valencia is better then Sagna and/or zabaleta.
7.5 united, 7 City.

Cb: Smalling way ahead of Kompany last few years. Kompany always injured, smalling solid as feck.
Bailly and Stones looking very good for their managers though, about the same currently.
8+ 8 for United. 7+8 for City.

Lb: Shaw wins easily over clichy or kolarov.
8.5 united. 6 city.

Cdm: fernandinho the easy winner. Fellaini done alright, but lets not pretend he is a class player after 2 games.
8 for City. 6 United.

Cm: Pogba quality, Gundogan also class but injury troubles. If fit, probably best signings of summer for both.
9.5 United. 8.5 City

Rw: Mkhitaryan wins ahead of Sterling (or nolito or sane if you want them), though Sterling has started very well.
8.5 United. 7.5 City.

Cam: Easy city win here. Silva still quality, rooney annoying to watch.
8.5 City, 6 United.

Lw: draw between Martial and De Bruyne. Its where I think De Bruyne will play when all are fit, and while he is more developed then Martial, Martial is better wide.
8.5 for both.

St: Aguero would win if not for the injuries. Ibrahimovic the only striker in the league who can compete with him though. We'll probably see a similar output from both.
9.5 City. 9 United.

Total: 89.5 United | 85 City

So yeah it goes along with I would rate our side overall higher, the biggest differences being in defence and the goalkeeper while the rest of the side is pretty similar when the strongest and likeliest teams IMO (plus rooney) are on the field. They have more attacking depth and more pace in their team going forward, but both clearly the 2 best sides in the league with the 2 best managers.

 

[charlton66]

The amount of contradictions in that post to "prove" the point of your original post is baffling.

On the one hand you are unsure about Shaw because he is coming back from an injury but Kompany's constant injury problems are not noteworthy.
If you note, I choose both of them in my best choice defense. So I give both the benefit of the doubt.

Then you say Bailly has played "two" games (but conveniently forget he was excellent for Villareal last season), but are saying Stones is better than him because Pep has bought him (again after conveniently forgetting that Jose bought Bailly so unless you are saying your opinion is better than Jose's, it's again lopsided and contradictory).
The reason I give Stones more of the benefit of the doubt is that he has already played about 80 games in the Premiership and so the transition to City SHOULD be easier. If you look at Managala for example, he was excellent for Porto but has had a lot of trouble moving to the Premiership. As to Eric Bailly, this is what Jose said just after he joined the club; “Eric is a young central defender who has great natural talent. He’s progressed well to date and has the potential to become one of the best around... We look forward to working with him to help nurture that raw talent and fulfil his potential. Eric is at the right club to continue his development.”

Smalling is "average to good and overrated here" but you are doing just the same with Stones. Blind has been very good for us last season and yet you simple cast him aside because the caf thought he wasn't good enough earlier (the same caf whose opinion you shrugged off in Stones' case).
I think Stones is over-rated, certainly over-priced but I still think he is a better player than Chris Smalling. I suppose, I'll just have to chalk that up to "IMHO" but right now IMHO I'd choose Stones of the two. As to Daley Blind, he's a good but not great player. He's done well for United - I think we could do better.


There ate many more such which I really cannot be bothered to put it here as I am on my phone. In short, your analysis was very lame.
One mans "humble opinion".

 

[Kostur]

Okay, I'll break it down. Valencia was/is a winger and has been shoehorned into the right back position because Darmian has not really lived up to expectations. He's done well there for the most part but it's not been that long ago where large swathes of the Caf wanted him sold. Given the choice I'd choose Sagna right now. If Valencia can keep up the level he's shown so far this season then maybe I'll change my mind. On to Shaw. I think he may end up being a very good player. However he has just come back from a very serious injury. If he plays to the potential he showed at Soton and his early form of last season then he'll be a good 'un. However, because he has just come back from said injury things may not go as swimmingly as everybody seems to think. I hope it does but let's wait and see. Having said that I'd still probably choose Shaw over anybody from City.

As to the centre of defense. Bailly has played two games TWO, and yet people are already writing he is the next coming of Nemanja Vidic. I think he may turn out to be a very good player, but please let's wait and see. City on the other hand have just bought John Stones for 47 million pounds. Yes he is overpriced but Pep Guardiola must think he's worth it and no matter what people think of my "weird" analysis, I'd take Pep's opinion over yours and other peoples' on the Caf. Chris Smalling is a decent to good player but is massively over-rated on here. When you've been used to Ferdinand and Vidic for so long, Smalling is certainly nowhere near their level. Blind has done well at United, no doubt, but it wasn't long ago people on here were predicting that he'd be a casualty of the new Mourinho regime. He is a jack of all trades and has done a decent job at United but once again see comment above related to Ferdinand and Vidic. Kompany on the other hand while having his injury problems is only 30 years old and if he can get back to anywhere near his best then he would be better than anybody we currently have. Thus right now I'd probably choose Kompany and Stones. Hence my analysis.

Jeez, United fans can be touchy sometimes. Any criticism and its almost like somebody shot your dog. Almost RAWK levels!

Yeah, only thing that's reaching RAWK levels are the two posts of yours.

So first you're very reluctant to call it our way on the left because Shaw just came back from injury (doesn't matter that Kolarov and Clichy are dogshit) but at the same time Kompany is just 30 and here his injury problems aren't much of a problem because if he isn't injured, he's the best of the lot. Oh, and that golden part about Stones. How about this: Mourinho didn't want him at United but he wanted Bailly and since we rate Mourinho's opinion higher than yours then definitely Bailly > Stones, Bailly > anything actually because Mou got him and it's his opnion über alles.

Christ.

 

[NK86]

See the problem with that? Stones is all potential now but you are having him over both Bailly (which can still MAYBE understood) and Smalling (which is ludicrous).

I think we win in defence. It is closer than some people would say but I feel we edge it.

And in no universe is Stones better than Smalling currently.

 

[Kostur]

Woah actually you know what? Let's not stop here. Ferguson once called Jones the new Duncan Edwards. Duncan Edwards > anybody at City, Ferguson's opinion > anybody's, hence I think that if Jones is fit (doesn't matter he's never fit for the sake of me being right) then they're not even close to us in defence.

 

[Ish]

Woah actually you know what? Let's not stop here. Ferguson once called Jones the new Duncan Edwards. Duncan Edwards > anybody at City, Ferguson's opinion > anybody's, hence I think that if Jones is fit (doesn't matter he's never fit for the sake of me being right) then they're not even close to us in defence.

on the rampage I see Kostur.

 

[Kostur]

on the rampage I see Kostur.

Yeah for some reason it got me irked, it's been the most absurd thing I've read today and I've been sitting in Schweinsteiger's thread, read Spurs' thread for a bit and some wisdom from Britney Spears. Nearly forgot that I learnt about Joey Barton's biography too.

 

[DWelbz19]

Goalkeeper and Defence = United, easy. Attack = City, easy. I think midfield goes either way, Pogba is easily better than any of their CMs, but then I'd have Fernandinho over any of ours to partner him.

 

[charlton66]

What the feck? If you're going to talk down the United defence in every possible way at least do the same for the City defence.

Defence - I don't think this is close. They have a right back who is aging and nowhere near as good as he used to be, one defensively suspect left back and one left back who can't attack, a centre back and captain who struggles with constant injury problems, two centre backs who are nowhere near living up to their price tags and a youngster who is all potential and is also defensively suspect. United are better.

See how ridiculous that is?

I actually think this is a very good response. I still stick by the players I picked (Sagna, Stones, Kompany, Shaw) but this definitely made me consider re-evaluating.

 

[Ish]

Yeah for some reason it got me irked, it's been the most absurd thing I've read today and I've been sitting in Schweinsteiger's thread, read Spurs' thread for a bit and some wisdom from Britney Spears. Nearly forgot that I learnt about Joey Barton's biography too.

what a day. What a lovely day! Hope you're well man. I'll be back later to see if i can analyse the 2 squads. In the meantime, don't kill anyone!

 

[charlton66]

Yeah, only thing that's reaching RAWK levels are the two posts of yours.

So first you're very reluctant to call it our way on the left because Shaw just came back from injury (doesn't matter that Kolarov and Clichy are dogshit) but at the same time Kompany is just 30 and here his injury problems aren't much of a problem because if he isn't injured, he's the best of the lot. Oh, and that golden part about Stones. How about this: Mourinho didn't want him at United but he wanted Bailly and since we rate Mourinho's opinion higher than yours then definitely Bailly > Stones, Bailly > anything actually because Mou got him and it's his opnion über alles.

Christ.

I don't know whether Jose wanted Stones or not, he doesn't include me in most of his transfer dealings. As to Kompany being finished, I don't know. I'm prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt in the same way I'm prepared to give Shaw the benefit of the doubt.

You seem very angry today.