Premier League preview: Manchester City vs Manchester United

Carlos Tevez

Manchester City vs Manchester United
Wednesday November 10 – Eastlands, Manchester

The Manchester derby returned with a bang last year and as a result, this could be the most eagerly anticipated Premier League game of the season so far.
For the past couple of decades, the enmity between the Manchester clubs has been mainly one-way traffic, under-achieving City resentful of brand United. However, things are beginning to change. The enormous financial backing that Manchester City enjoy means that they are regarded as a serious threat at the top of the table. They come into this game only three points behind Sir Alex Ferguson's side.
Then there is Carlos Tevez . City's talisman added extra spice to the fixture, the moment that he left Old Trafford for Eastlands. His two goals against Manchester United in the Carling Cup last season upped the stakes further.
Add into the mix the Wayne Rooney saga this season and Patrice Evra's claim that beating City would be "nothing special" and tomorrow's game promises to be a passionate affair. Then there is the small factor that Manchester United are only two points behind Premier League leaders Chelsea with Manchester City hot on their heels in fourth place. There is plenty to play for.
Manchester City: The thin line between 'title contenders' and 'crisis club'
You need look no further than Manchester City for evidence of the demand for immediate success in today's game. It comes with the territory if you spend the kind of money that Roberto Mancini has spent. Nonetheless, their season has on one hand seen them hailed as genuine title contenders a few weeks ago when they were second in the table. Yet, a few days ago, Mancini was reportedly one game away from the sack, having lost three on the spin, with rumours of discord in the camp.
Sunday's 2-0 victory at West Brom has reduced some of the pressure for now. Victory over arch-rivals Manchester United would have sections of the media promoting City's title credentials once more. Ridiculously, a defeat would dump the pressure right back on Mancini again.
The media hysteria might be rather exaggerated, but make no mistake victory for City on Wednesday would be a massive boost. Mancini will be delighted that talismanic captain Carlos Tevez will be available to play, given that there was some doubt last week whether he would be fit having picked up a leg injury against Arsenal.
One player that will be missing is Italian striker Mario Balotelli . The tempestuous 20-year-old showed both sides of his game at West Brom on Sunday, hitting a brace before being shown a red card. As a result, Balotelli is suspended. He would have likely given Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic a stern test. Emmanuel Adebayor is likely to come in for Balotelli with the Togo striker also having been among the goals lately.
Manchester United: Hoping stars can return from injury to silence 'noisy neighbours'
By their usual high standards, the season has been a bit up and down for Manchester United too. They remain the only unbeaten side in the Premier League, yet they will feel that they have dropped too many points against the likes of West Brom, Fulham and Everton.
Much has been made of the trials and tribulations of Wayne Rooney . However, Rooney's demise has paved the way for Dimitar Berbatov and Javier Hernandez to hit the headlines. The little Mexican in particular has been one this season's most impressive performers so far.
Ferguson will be delighted that he has been able to pair Rio Ferdinand with Nemanja Vidic of late. He will hope that they can keep Carlos Tevez under wraps.
However, Manchester United will have to make do without the services of several players at Eastlands. Rooney is recuperating in America while Owen Hargreaves' aborted return at the weekend means that he will be out of action for at least five weeks. Portugese winger Nani looks likely to be ruled out with a groin injury and Ryan Giggs will miss out too, still suffering with a troublesome hamstring. Berbatov missed the weekend victory against Wolves, but is expected to recover from a virus in time to face City.
Carlos Tevez - Manchester City
Age: 26
Position: Striker
Appearances this season: 12 matches, 7 goals
Internationals: 59 matches, 12 goals for Argentina
There is little doubt that all eyes will be on Tevez on Wednesday. The impact that he has made at Manchester City since his cross-town move last summer has been nothing short of breathtaking. He followed up an impressive 26 goals last season with seven in twelve games so far this term. In the build-up to Wednesday's game, both Joe Hart and David Silva have hailed Tevez as absolutely central to City's chances.
If there is one player who is guaranteed to need no motivation to face Manchester United , it is Tevez. Anyone who watched his performances against his former employer last season, especially in the Carling Cup, will know that he will be at the centre of the action.
Yet, the fact that he is not only adored at Eastlands, but quietly respected at Old Trafford says much about the man. It would be easy to view his cross-town defection as treachery. The fact that it is not in such a passionate footballing city, is testament to the Argentinian's ability and personality.
As a striker, there is very little that Carlos Tevez cannot do. Defenders don’t like to see him running at them, bearing down on goal. His excellent touch and movement means that he usually fashions a chance for himself in those situations. Equally though, Tevez is also an excellent poacher and often prospers from feeding of crosses and loose balls in the box. Even at 5ft 6in, Tevez scores his fair share of headers too.
Perhaps his major attribute though is his tenacity and work-rate. Far beyond the goals that he scores, Tevez is a real team player and can be guaranteed to run from the first whistle to the last, constantly harrying the opposition.
The derby promises to be a pulsating affair and the smart money will be on Tevez to be the heartbeat of it.

Javier Hernandez – Manchester United
Age: 22
Position: Striker
Appearances this season: 10 matches, 4 goals
Internationals: 20matches, 11 goals for Mexico
Like Tevez, Hernandez may only be 5ft 6in, but the 'little pea' is making a big impression at Old Trafford. Hernandez, or Chicarito, as he also likes to be known, was something of an unknown quantity when Manchester United signed him from Mexican side Chivas Guadalajara. However, he is fast building a reputation as United's most potent attacking weapon and has earned comparisons to United team-mate Michael Owen.
Certainly like Owen, Hernandez is a natural finisher. His two recent goals against Stoke, one an improvised header and the other a quick finish from a loose ball, certainly showed that he has more than an eye for goal. His anticipation, movement and touch guarantee that he is likely to find space for a shot on goal while his pace is an enormous nuisance to defenders.
Hernandez is unlikely to score many goals from outside the penalty area, but that really is a minor drawback for such a natural striker. Hernandez doesn't have the same tenacity as Tevez, but the Mexican's work-rate is also impressive.
At the moment, the youngster is not guaranteed to start for Manchester United , but even if he appears only from the bench, he is likely to make an impact. He has that burst of pace likely to leave defenders trailing, especially late in the game. Sir Alex Ferguson will also be delighted at Hernandez's ability to play anywhere along the front line, enabling him to fit in whatever the chosen tactics.
More than anything perhaps, the speed with which 'Chicarito' has settled down in England has been most impressive. He appears to have been utterly unfazed by the prospect of playing at a club the size of Manchester United . Who is to say that he won't take his first Manchester derby in similar stride and have a big say on the outcome at Eastlands?
See 'Chicarito' score a brace at Stoke City last month at the clip below