Is it a case of one playmaker or another to start for Manchester City in Saturday’s derby? | OneFootball

Up next for Manchester City is a trip to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United in the Manchester derby on Saturday. The match looms as a crucial Premier League fixture for Pep Guardiola’s side. City have won their past two matches against Exeter City and Newcastle United in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, but they have drawn their past three matches in the Premier League. Pep Guardiola’s side needs to beat their arch-rivals this weekend to keep in touch with Arsenal, who are six points clear of City at the top of the Premier League.

Ahead of the match, there seems to be a talking point as to who should start between Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki. Could it be a case of one playmaker starting over the other at Old Trafford, and who should start if that proves to be the case?

The Manchester City starting eleven seems to pick itself for the clash with Manchester United.

When looking at who Pep Guardiola may start against Manchester United on Saturday, the goalkeeper and defender discussion will be put to one side. Rayan Cherki or Phil Foden won’t line up in any of those positions. Looking at who Guardiola will likely turn to in midfield and in attack, those selections seem obvious at this stage.

I feel that Antoine Semenyo, Jeremy Doku, and Erling Haaland will start up front at Old Trafford. Of course, that is dependent on the fitness of the trio after Manchester City’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg win over Newcastle United. Those three players seem to be the favorites to start on the left and right wing, and Haaland will take up his usual role as a striker in the derby. If that is the case, those three roles are sorted, and Cherki and Foden won’t take up one of those positions.

In midfield, it would seem that Rodri and Bernardo Silva will start against Manchester United. Bernardo is a definite starter in my book. Pep Guardiola will not enter a derby without his captain, in my opinion. Rodri didn’t start against Newcastle at St. James’ Park, and my assumption is that he will start the derby at Old Trafford. Especially given the fact that Nico is in doubt for Saturday’s match due to an ‘incredible knock‘. That leaves Rayan Cherki or Phil Foden to line up in midfield with Bernardo and Rodri, in my opinion. But which playmaker should start if that is how Guardiola sets his team up on Saturday? There is no easy answer to that question.

If it is a choice between Foden or Cherki which one should start?

Looking at what Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki bring to the Manchester City lineup, they both offer creativity in the final third, exceptional technical ability, and the potential to score goals and break open the derby at any moment. Although they are similar types of players, there is a case both for and against either Foden or Cherki starting against Manchester United.

The case for and against Phil Foden starting alongside Rodri and Bernardo Silva.

Up first is Phil Foden. The case against Foden starting alongside Rodri and Bernardo is that Foden looks fatigued and his form has dropped off recently. His drop in form looks to be due to him being tired. Perhaps Foden may come off the bench at Old Trafford. That way he can freshen up and potentially be a game-changing substitute. Having said that, Foden typically rises the occasion playing against Manchester United. Also, his work out of possession is a key element to City’s play and he is infinitely better in helping Manchester City’s press than Rayan Cherki at this stage. Perhaps those two factors could see Foden start alongside Rodri and Bernardo Silva at Old Trafford.

What are the pros and cons of Cherki starting as a number ten against United?

The case for Rayan Cherki starting alongside Rodri and Bernardo Silva is strong, but there are both pros and cons to the idea. Cherki is in form as we saw against Newcastle on Tuesday. He has also grasped the concepts of Manchester City’s possession play extremely well, and playing in midfield does bring out his best. He links up the play well and has developed a great understanding of the concepts of City’s possession play. Having said that, Cherki does take risks in possession and if Michael Carrick’s side sit deep and look to play on the break, that could play into their hands. Cherki isn’t as adept in his role in Manchester City’s press as Foden, so maybe he will be used as a game-breaking substitute at Old Trafford if Pep Guardiola prefers a safer option in midfield with Bernardo Silva and Rodri.

Final thoughts.

I don’t think there is a bad choice between Phil Foden or Rayan Cherki starting alongside Rodri and Bernardo Silva in midfield against Manchester United. Both players bring their own strengths and magic to the role, and the case is compelling for either player to start for Manchester City at Old Trafford. It will be fascinating to see what Pep Guardiola decides to do if, as expected, Rodri, Bernardo Silva, Antoine Semenyo, Jeremy Doku, and Erling Haaland all start.

Having said all of that, I could have it wrong, and both Foden and Cherki could start with Doku or Semenyo on the bench. Perhaps Tijjani Reijnders could start in midfield, and my selection question would be a non-event. Guessing a Pep Guardiola team selection is always a tough task, but it is an interesting topic to consider if Foden or Cherki will line up alongside Rodri and Bernardo Silva if that is how Pep Guardiola sets his team up in a must-win game for Manchester City.