Ratings battle: United or City?

When comparing Manchester United’s starting XI, bench and boss with Manchester City’s, who comes out on top?

We asked Andrew Cole and Trevor Sinclair to run through predicted line-ups and rate the two sides ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash, live on Sky Sports.

Cole has provided his verdict on United, having scored 121 goals in 275 appearances while at Old Trafford, though he also played one season with City in 2005.

Sinclair was at City during Cole’s short stint, with the former England international scoring the first competitive goal at the Etihad – then known as the City of Manchester Stadium – in 2003.

As well as the starting XIs, we ask Cole and Sinclair to rate Jose Mourinho against Pep Guardiola, and also look at both sides’ strength from the bench…

STARTING XIsGOALKEEPERS

Daid De Gea (Manchester United)

Cole says: In the past two or three seasons he has been United’s best player by far. Hopefully he will stay for many years to come as he’s an integral part of the team. Rating: 10/10 

Claudio Bravo (Manchester City)

Sinclair says: He has done well for Barcelona and Chile, but we haven’t seen him in the Premier League, with the atmosphere, the weather, the culture, and most importantly, the intensity of the derby. Rating: 7/10

DEFENDERS

Antonio Valencia (Man Utd)

Cole says: I like Antonio. Considering he arrived at United as a midfielder, he has adapted really well to playing full-back and I think he does a sterling job there. Rating: 8

Eric Bailly (Man Utd)

Cole says: So far, after a season and a half at Villarreal, he has had a super start to the season at United and long may it continue. Rating: 9

Daley Blind (Man Utd)

Cole says: Blind has done really well given that he’s not really a centre-half. People question his lack of pace but you can’t deny that he reads the game really well. Rating: 8 

Luke Shaw (Man Utd)

Cole says: A great prospect. The injury problems of last season are over. He has started this campaign very well, playing for Jose and getting the confidence he needs off the back of a long injury. Rating: 8

Pablo Zabaleta (Man City)

Sinclair says: His influence on the team is lesser now offensively. But he leads that group of players even when he is not the captain. What he’s done for City makes him probably in most fans’ top three. That speaks volumes. Rating: 8

John Stones (Man City)

Sinclair says: He has started the season outstandingly well. He has a manager in Pep who can develop him properly, that believes in him and will give him the information he needs. He’s such a talented player and it’s brilliant to see him coming out and starting attacks for City. Rating: 8

Nicolas Otamendi (Man City)

Sinclair says: He has got better since the start of last season. He used to go wandering and leave holes. For a central defender, to stay in the centre is integral, and he was too eager to leave that area and get involved in things he didn’t need …

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