Manchester City Vs. Manchester United, 2012 Premier League: Red Devils To Play On The Counterattack

Few people say that Manchester United play beautifully. They don't have the fluid passing of Barcelona, or even the electric, quick strike attack of Napoli. Cristiano Ronaldo has spent the last three years being awe-inspiring for Real Madrid instead of the Red Devils and they have failed to reel in some of their mesmerizing transfer target like Mesut Ozil. While undoubtedly effective, United are not beautiful, but that's just fine, and it is especially fine against Manchester City.

The Red Devils can be deadly on the counterattack, utilizing their pace on the wings to break quickly and luckily for them, that is exactly what City don't want to see. They have had troubles this season against teams that have defended well and broke on the counterattack. They get too open and can be exposed, which is exactly what Gene Um of The Busby Babe thinks United would be wise to try and do against City on Monday.

United's best approach may be to absorb pressure and keep it tight in the back, and then use the vision and passing range of Scholes and Carrick to ignite counter attacks from deep. City's deepest lying central-midfielder -- most often Barry but sometimes it's de Jong -- has been exposed numerous times this season trying to break up counterattacks due to the massive space they're often forced to patrol

Considering that a draw is just fine for United, the struggles that City have ha against good counterattacks and the Red Devils' ability to strike quickly, it seems as if this is the tactic they have to take. As we have learned very well through Barcelona, possession is not winning, so why bother with it when your best chances can come on the counter-attack?

For all of your pre-match and live coverage, check out the Manchester Derby StoryStream. You can also can the low down on the two teams at United blog The Busby Babe and City blog Bitter and Blue.