Manchester City’s leaders must lead the way against Manchester United | OneFootball

Manchester City take on Manchester United this weekend in what looms as a must-win match for Pep Guardiola’s side. This weekend’s Manchester derby is a massive fixture. It always is. Big matches are won by big players and by the team that seizes their moment. To seize those particular moments, each team’s leaders must inspire their team. In the case of Manchester City, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, Rodri and Erling Haaland they must inspire their team. Each player has a crucial role to play tomorrow at the Etihad Stadium as City bids to beat Ruben Amorim’s side.

Manchester City’s leaders will be pivotal to how Pep Guardiola’s side performs.

Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, Rodri and Erling Haaland will have a crucial role to play tomorrow. They are Manchester City’s captaincy group for the 25/26 season. Being in that particular group comes with responsibility. Games like the Manchester derby are when they each have a pivotal role to play to justify their positionas leaders.

Bernardo Silva is Manchester City’s captain. He sets the tone for his team. Whether that is through his work rate or ability to split open a match. Bernardo must lead from the front tomorrow. That is a captain’s job. There is no doubt that he will be up for the derby. If he can perform at his best in all aspects of his performance, it will lay down a marker for his team.

If Ruben Dias starts in the heart of Manchester City’s defence against Manchester United, he has to play with the poise that his role demands. Dias is a leader for his team. He cannot lunge into challenges or be caught out stepping up in Manchester City’s high defensive line. Tomorrow is not the day for such errors. As a leader, Ruben Dias must play with the composure and the poise that have made him one of the world’s premier centre-backs. That is the challenge for him to meet at the Etihad tomorrow.

It seems harsh to place any expectations on Rodri. He is still working his way back to full fitness after suffering an ACL injury last season. But he remains Manchester City’s most important player even though he isn’t back to his best. He can set the tone in midfield for his team. Rodri’s ability to read the game is second to none, despite the fact that he isn’t yet back to his best. If he brings that alongside his ability to dictate play when his team has possession, it could go a long way in deciding tomorrow’s derby.

Erling Haaland has laid down the challenge to his teammates to snap out of their recent funk. He has put it on his team to return to winning ways beginning tomorrow. To do that, Haaland must fire. If the chances come for Manchester City’s number-nine, he has to take them. That is his job. He is the world’s best striker, and must play like it tomorrow. There is no other option. Out of possession, Haaland must lead Manchester City’s press. When he does that, his team follows him. It also makes him an infinitely more dangerous player. Haaland has challenged his teammates ahead of the clash with Manchester United. He must lead the way to guide them to all three points tomorrow.

Summary.

Tomorrow’s Manchester derby is a must-win game for Pep Guardiola’s side. That fact isn’t in dispute. To pick up all three points tomorrow, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, Rodri and Erling Haaland must lead the way. They form Manchester City’s captaincy group and the challenge falls at their feet to inspire Pep Guardiola’s side at the Etihad Stadium tomorrow.