Manchester United v Man City: Di Maria's turning point and more to look out for

 

Di Maria made a positive impact against Aston Villa

Does Di Maria return?

Ashley Young's combination with Daley Blind has been influential for United recently, and the winger's return to the side sparked The Reds' five-game Premier League winning run.

Young's crossing on Saturday, though, was erratic and however maddening Angel di Maria has performed he is a reliable assister, as he proved with the cross for Wayne Rooney's half-volley.

Di Maria not only created United's winner but injected dynamism into their attack and galvanised Rooney, poor until his spectacular strike. The derby could be a turning point for the Argentine.

Will United continue their fast starts?

Bizarrely, of the last three Old Trafford derby defeats United's best performance came in the 6-1. A result skewed by Jonny Evans' slip, his red card and defensive indiscipline in the last 10 minutes, United actually began the game brightly, with Young causing Micah Richards plenty of concern.

United have begun games brightly recently

In recent weeks, United have become more watchable thanks to their front-foot starts. They scored in the opening 10 minutes against Tottenham, the first 15 at Anfield and should have struck earlier than they did against Aston Villa.

Who starts at centre-back?

Chris Smalling's rotten luck with injuries continued as he was deprived of a start against Aston Villa to allow Marcos Rojo back into the side.

Rojo returned to the United side against Aston Villa

United's improved defensive record coincided with Phil Jones' return to the first-team, yet Smalling has shone at centre-back and must be desperate to atone for his derby red card in November.

Finally, Louis van Gaal has a positive defensive headache.

Can United end their Kompany hex?

The last time City lost to United with Vincent Kompany on the pitch came way back when Rooney executed that scarcely believable bicycle kick up at the Scoreboard End in 2011.

 

City boast plenty of derby bogeymen. Yaya Toure has scored four against United, Edin Dzeko five and Sergio Aguero six, however Kompany has proved to be a defensive pest who relishes his duels with Rooney, despite the No.10'slscoring prowess against City.

Kompany has led City to three successive wins at Old Trafford

This could be The Blues' greatest side's last hurrah and it is perhaps about time United belatedly dominated them.

De Gea to stop mini rot?

Indisputably United's player of the season, David de Gea has, however, been culpable for the last two goals they have conceded that have suddenly offered helpless opponents hope.

The Spaniard was at fault for Preston's opener in the February FA Cup tie, too, however De Gea has overwhelmed all and sundry with his magnificence this campaign that his errors have attracted little attention, unlike three seasons ago.

De Gea was at fault for Benteke's goal on Saturday

His mistakes have not cost United points yet, either, yet for the first time this term he is experiencing a slight wobble.