Manchester City and Manchester City face off in the third Manchester derby of the season at the Etihad Stadium on Thursday (8pm kick-off).

Pep Guardiola’s Citizens were beaten 2-1 in the FA Cup semi-final by Arsenal on Sunday to all but end their chances of landing any silverware this term, and as a result means that boss Guardiola is on the verge of his first ever trophyless season in management.

However, victory over Jose Mourinho’s United on Thursday would cement their place in the Premier League’s top four, and thus set them on their way to playing Champions League football next term.

Nonetheless, the Red Devils extended their unbeaten league run to 23 matches after beating Burnley 2-0 at Turf Moor on Sunday, and it also meant that they went within a point of their neighbours ahead of Thursday’s derby.

And with one win apiece in the derbies this season, with Guardiola’s men winning 2-1 at Old Trafford in league before United got past them en route to winning the League Cup, it’s all set up to be an enthralling encounter at the Etihad Stadium.

So, with the build-up well underway ahead of Thursday’s clash, we at Shoot! have selected our ultimate City-United five-a-side team from those players available for selection at the Etihad on Thursday…

David De Gea

Undoubtedly, United’s David De Gea is the best goalkeeper at both clubs.

The Spain international has grown into one of the world’s best since moving to Old Trafford back in 2011, this all after a first season struggle which at one stage saw him replaced in goal by Anders Lindegaard, who is now playing his trade at Championship side Preston.

The 26-year-old has become a greater presence in his penalty area and has time and again saved United, to the point that he has won their Player of the Year award for three straight seasons.

City’s Claudio Bravo and Willy Caballero are decent goalkeepers, but neither are in the same league as De Gea, who as such eases into our team.

Antonio Valencia

If you’d had selected a five-a-side team from these two sides this time last year, United’s Antonio Valencia probably wouldn’t be your first choice defender.

Yet the Ecuador international has improved drastically to become one of the best right-backs in the Premier League, and one the most important players in Mourinho’s team.

The 31-year-old moved to Old Trafford back in 2009 as a winger but slowly saw opportunities fade in the North West, and has since become a solid and accomplished full-back who has greatly improved his defensive capabilities.

Every five-a-side team needs pace, energy, and players with the ability to affect things at both ends of the pitch – Valencia thus fits the bill.

Ander Herrera

City’s Fernandinho and Yaya Toure have again performed well for the Citizens this season, but it’s difficult to look past United’s Ander Herrera for a midfield spot in this side.

The Spain international has been arguably the Red Devils’ best player this term following a string of dominant performances in the midfield, this all after failing to nail down a regular spot at the start of the campaign.

However, the 27-year-old found his way into Mourinho’s midfield and hasn’t relinquished his grip on that spot, striking up quite the partnership with Michael Carrick, who also allows him to push slightly further forward hence his tally of six assists this term – the most of any United player.

Herrera has this season become one of Mourinho’s most important stars, and his form this term earns him a spot in this team.

David Silva

He may not have the same number of assists as Kevin De Bruyne and maybe isn’t as pacey or tricky as Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling, but there’s little doubt that David Silva makes City tick.

The Spain international has been the heartbeat of the Citizens midfield ever since he moved from Valencia back in 2010, and with 37 goals and 64 assists in 216 Premier League appearances, the 31-year-old has more than produced the goods for the Manchester club.

It was evident on Sunday at Wembley how much City changed as a side when Silva was forced off due to injury; they became predictable in their attacking play and rarely forced the Arsenal defence into anything overly tricky.

The City playmaker hasn’t been ruled out of Thursday’s clash as of this evening, which is why he beats the likes of De Bruyne, Sane, and Sterling, as well as United’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan, to this team.

Sergio Aguero

Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s injury means that City striker Sergio Aguero has an even easier route into this team.

The Argentina international is undoubtedly one of the best strikers the Premier League has ever seen since his move to the Etihad Stadium back in 2011, scoring 119 goals in just 176 league appearances, as well as a whole host of others in domestic cup competitions and Europe.

And he is in great form as well, with his strike against Arsenal on Sunday meaning that he has now netted in each of his last six matches, and since coming back into the side following Gabriel Jesus’ injury in February, Aguero has netted 12 goals in just 12 matches, failing to net in just two of them.

Clearly, the 28-year-old is in outstanding form and will cause the United defenders many issues on Thursday, and thus comfortably gets into our team.