Skip to content

Manchester United v Manchester City: Matt Le Tissier picks rivals' best XIs

Matt Le Tissier names his Manchester XI

We challenged Matt Le Tissier to pick Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola's best XIs ahead of Manchester United's EFL Cup derby with Manchester City, live on Sky Sports.

Both managers' selections have come under scrutiny after underwhelming respective runs, with United boasting just one victory in six in the league and City winless in five in all competitions.

Mourinho and Guardiola are expected to make changes for Wednesday's final-16 tie, but given a full complement, who would Le Tiss, the Soccer Saturday pundit, field from the off? Should Wayne Rooney be playing from the start? Is Raheem Sterling a shoo-in? Read on for his choices and then have your say...

Live EFL Cup

Manchester United

Matt Le Tissier

The first pick is an easy one. David de Gea has won their Player of the Year for the past three seasons and is once again probably looking their best player.

It's a bit of a strange one to pick Antonio Valencia next because he's not really a right-back, but the rest aren't much cop; then I'd go for Luke Shaw on the left and Chris Smalling and Eric Bailly - were he fit - centrally.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Watch highlights of Chelsea's 4-0 defeat of Manchester United

Then Morgan Schneiderlin gets in. I know he's been injured, but when he's fit, he gets around the pitch better than most in that area. He also wins it back and passes well. When he was at Southampton, he was one of the best in the Premier League in that role.

Michael Carrick is my other pick, with Marouane Fellaini dropped. I do find it a bit strange why Mourinho's persevered with him and I don't think he's the sort of player United should be relying on. He wouldn't get in my Southampton team.

Also See:

Marouane Fellaini celebrates during the Galatasaray v Manchester United pre-season friendly
Image: United should not be relying on Marouane Fellaini, says Le Tiss

Then I've probably my toughest call because I feel bad about not picking Juan Mata. I nearly also put Henrikh Mkhitaryan in but I've not seen enough of him for United. Wayne Rooney is the easiest one to leave out.

Paul Pogba just about gets in there instead, with Marcus Rashford and Antony Martial either side, but Mourinho needs to get more out of them going forward.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic gestures during the match between Chelsea and Manchester United
Image: Zlatan Ibrahimovic is four league games without a goal

I almost put Rashford in as the striker because Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been average, but that would be a bit harsh as he did score quite a few at the start of the season. I'm sticking with Zlatan.

Le Tiss' Sky Bet prediction
Le Tiss' Sky Bet prediction

Find out what Le Tiss is tipping up at 35/1 for the Manchester derby here.

Manchester City

Matt Le Tissier

The first thing I'd do as City manager would be to see if there's a recall clause in Joe Hart's contract because I'd have him over Claudio Bravo. Hart is the better shot-stopper and that's the goalkeeper's most important job but if I'm picking from what's available, I'll have to go for Bravo.

Joe Hart of England leaves the pitch after England's goalless draw with Slovenia
Image: Joe Hart is still Manchester City's best goalkeeper, says Le Tiss

The full-backs are much of a muchness. I'd probably just go for Bacary Sagna over Pablo Zabaleta, who is just on that downward slope now. I'm not convinced either of the left-backs defensively but Aleksandar Kolarov offers a bit more going forward than Gael Clichy.

Then I've gone for John Stones, even though he did gift Southampton a goal, and Vincent Kompany on the basis that he's actually fit. I'd be very surprised to see him risked again on Wednesday.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Watch highlights of Manchester City's 1-1 draw with Southampton

I've got Ilkay Gundogan and Fernandinho holding and once again I've gone three a three-man supporting cast to the leading striker.

David Silva is one of my favourite players in the Premier League, so he goes in alongside Kevin de Bruyne, who unfortunately has been ruled out on Wednesday but who would always be a cert. Then it's between Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane and I've gone for Sane as I actually think he'll develop into a more dangerous player.

Sergio Aguero saw his penalty saved against Paraguay
Image: Sergio Aguero has missed his last two penalties for Argentina and City

There's not too much to say about picking Sergio Aguero as my striker, except for keeping him off penalties!

Do you agree with Le Tiss? Who'd make your strongest Man Utd or Man City XI? Let us know by leaving a comment on skysports.com or tweeting @SkyFootball.

You can watch Premier League and EFL Cup football, plus England's tour of Bangladesh and the Mexican Grand Prix on Sky Sports. Upgrade now and enjoy six months at half price!

Pundits' Sky Bet tips
Pundits' Sky Bet tips

Find out what the Soccer Saturday pundits are tipping up for Man Utd v Man City here.

Around Sky