Man Utd vs Man City Starting XIs Confirmed as Pep Guardiola Makes Kevin De Bruyne Call
The Manchester derby is one of the most highly anticipated fixtures in the football calendar, and the clash between Manchester United and Manchester City on April 6, 2025, did not disappoint. Both clubs came into the match with their own set of challenges, but the spectacle was elevated by Pep Guardiola’s decision regarding Kevin De Bruyne, one of the Premier League’s most influential players. With both teams aiming to gain crucial points in the race for the top spots, the starting lineups were eagerly awaited.
Manchester United’s Starting XI:
Manager Erik ten Hag made some important tactical decisions for the derby, knowing that United had to be at their best to challenge a City side that has dominated English football in recent years. The team lined up in a 4-3-3 formation, aiming to solidify their midfield and use the pace of their forwards to break down City’s defense.
Goalkeeper: Andre Onana was in goal, continuing his strong performances since joining the club, providing the much-needed stability at the back.
Defense: The back four saw Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans partner each other at center-back, with Victor Lindelöf on the right side of defense and Luke Shaw on the left. Shaw has proven to be a versatile defender, and his experience was crucial for United to deal with City’s attacking threats.
Midfield: Casemiro, who had been pivotal for United’s midfield this season, started in his usual holding role. He was joined by Sofyan Amrabat, who has impressed since his arrival in Manchester, and Christian Eriksen, who brought creativity and vision to the middle of the park. Bruno Fernandes was deployed in an advanced midfield role to link up with the attackers.
Forwards: Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Højlund led the line for United, both possessing the speed and finishing ability to test City’s defenders. Rashford has been one of the standout performers for United this season, and his threat on the counter-attack was key for United’s strategy. Højlund, a young striker with much potential, was expected to provide a focal point in attack, bringing energy and movement to the game.
Manchester City’s Starting XI:
Pep Guardiola made the decision to leave Kevin De Bruyne out of the starting XI, a call that generated significant debate. De Bruyne has been one of the best playmakers in the world, but Guardiola’s decision seemed to be based on his desire to inject a bit more energy and dynamism into the City lineup. Nonetheless, City was still a formidable team, filled with world-class players ready to dictate the tempo.
Goalkeeper: Ederson, as always, took his place between the sticks, known for his ball-playing ability and calmness under pressure. His distribution is a key part of Guardiola’s philosophy, and he would be looking to play out from the back.
Defense: The defense was made up of Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, and Nathan Ake. Walker’s pace and experience are crucial for providing balance, especially with United’s threat on the counter-attack. Dias and Gvardiol formed the central defensive pairing, offering both composure and physicality, while Ake’s defensive awareness was essential to deal with the overlapping runs from United’s attackers.
Midfield: Rodri was deployed in his familiar deep-lying role, protecting the defense and breaking up United’s attacking play. He was joined by Bernardo Silva and Matheus Nunes, who were expected to provide creative energy and support the attack. Nunes has impressed in recent outings, and his box-to-box style complemented Bernardo’s technical brilliance.
Forwards: The attacking trio consisted of Phil Foden, Erling Haaland, and Jeremy Doku. Haaland, of course, was the main goal threat, having proven time and time again that he is one of the deadliest strikers in world football. Foden’s dribbling and creativity offered City a dangerous outlet, while Doku’s pace and directness added further threat down the flanks.
The Key Decision – Kevin De Bruyne’s Absence:
The most significant talking point leading up to the match was Guardiola’s decision to start Kevin De Bruyne on the bench. De Bruyne has been a talisman for City over the years, orchestrating attacks and providing countless assists, but Guardiola seemed to prefer the energy and pressing ability of Nunes and Silva for this particular encounter.
There was speculation about De Bruyne’s fitness levels and whether his absence was a tactical decision or a response to recent performances. Regardless of the reasoning, De Bruyne’s omission was a clear signal from Guardiola that he intended to approach this derby with a more balanced and direct approach, rather than relying solely on his playmaking abilities. The decision also raised questions about De Bruyne’s future at City, with reports suggesting that he may be facing an uncertain future after a series of injuries.
Despite his omission from the starting XI, De Bruyne was expected to make an impact if he came on later in the match, and his creativity was something United’s defense would have to be wary of.
First Half:
The first half of the match was a tactical battle, with both teams trying to impose their style of play. United set out to be compact defensively, trying to stifle City’s fluid passing and quick transitions. On the other hand, City dominated possession, as expected, but struggled to break down United’s disciplined defense. Haaland, who had a few half-chances, was well-martialed by Maguire and Evans.
The first real chance of the match came from a set-piece, with Bruno Fernandes delivering a dangerous free-kick that was met by Højlund’s header. However, Ederson was alert and produced a fine save to deny United the opening goal.
City’s best chance in the first half came from a mazy run by Phil Foden, who cut inside from the left wing and unleashed a shot that was blocked by Onana. Despite having the lion’s share of possession, City was unable to break through United’s defensive lines.
Second Half – The De Bruyne Impact:
As the second half progressed, Guardiola made the tactical change everyone had been waiting for: De Bruyne was introduced in the 55th minute. His inclusion immediately shifted the balance of the game, as his vision and creativity began to unlock United’s defense. In the 67th minute, De Bruyne played a sublime through ball to Haaland, who made no mistake in finishing past Onana to give City the lead.
United responded with vigor, pushing forward in search of an equalizer. Their efforts paid off in the 78th minute when a corner from Fernandes found the head of Harry Maguire. Ederson saved the header, but Højlund was in the right place at the right time to tap in the rebound, leveling the score at 1-1.
Post-Match Reflections:
After the final whistle, both managers expressed mixed feelings. Erik ten Hag was pleased with his team’s resilience and ability to come back from a goal down, though he was critical of United’s first-half performance. He emphasized the need for greater consistency if his team is to challenge for the top positions.
Guardiola, on the other hand, praised the impact of De Bruyne when he came on but was frustrated that his team couldn’t hold on to the lead. He noted that despite the result, City’s quality was evident and that the focus would now shift to maintaining consistency for the remainder of the season.
Looking Forward:
This 1-1 draw means that both teams will need to continue pushing for improvement in the weeks ahead. Manchester United, while still not at their best, showed signs of growing resilience, while Manchester City’s dominance in possession remains a key asset. As for Kevin De Bruyne, his role in City’s future will be something to keep an eye on, especially if Guardiola continues to make decisions that exclude him from the starting lineup.
The derby may have ended in a draw, but it has set the stage for what promises to be an exciti
ng final stretch of the Premier League season for both clubs.
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