There are so many factors surrounding Monday’s game with Man City.
How will the two midfields match up? Can Valencia and Young/Nani exploit the wide areas? But just as important is what role will both goalkeepers play?
Joe Hart has been fantastic for City and earned a nomination in the PFA Player of The Year vote whilst despite a shaky start, David De Gea has impressed all with his game changing performances and has definitely hushed up whispers of him being a ‘dud’ and a ‘flop’.
Having improved immensely since his early blips, De Gea faces a real test against a Man City reinvigorated by Carlos Tevez and Sergio Aguero and English keeping legend Peter Shilton believes the game may be the making of him:
“It is possibly the biggest game of his career, and if he can come through it and have a good game, it could clinch the title for United and cement his progress. This derby is the acid test now.
“From a technique point of view, I wasn’t totally convinced when I saw him in the early part of the season. He looked very raw, he didn’t quite look like a dominating keeper and not what you would expect from Manchester United.
“There have been other keepers who have found it hard to adjust to playing for Manchester United, Fabien Barthez for example, but he has recovered well in the last few months.
“But if he has a wobbly game and United get beaten, people will still be pointing fingers.”