text: At the start of the year the prospect of Manchester United leading rivals Manchester City going into April's derby at Old Trafford looked extremely unlikely. But Louis van Gaal's side have hit form at the right time, while the current Premier League champions seem to have blown their chances of retaining their title after crushing defeats at Burnley and Crystal Palace. Since City beat United 1-0 last November, plenty of players have improved, some have faded, while both Van Gaal and Manuel Pellegrini have tinkered with their systems. Here, Sportsmail looks at how a composite XI of the sides might take shape, choosing the 4-2-3-1 formation both teams seem to favour. The Manchester United and Manchester City composite Xi ahead of the derby - selected by Sportsmail . Louis van Gaal (l) and Manuel Pellegrini's (r) sides are in contrasting form going into the Old Trafford clash . Goalkeeper - David de Gea . Just gets the gloves ahead of Joe Hart. A very close call, especially given the Englishman's form over recent weeks, but the athletic Spaniard edges it. David de Gea edges out Joe Hart for the goalkeeper slot and has been in fine form at Old Trafford this season . Right back - Pablo Zabaleta . Form has been patchy this term but is the best right back either club can boast. Manuel Pellegrini may opt for the more defensive Bacary Sagna, but he should not do so if only so we can see Zabaleta renew acquaintances with Marouane Fellaini, who elbowed him in the face last season. Pablo Zabaleta hasn't been at his best but is the best right back either club can boast at the moment . Centre back - Vincent Kompany . Like Zabaleta, not had the best of seasons but remains far above anything United currently have at centre-half. Should be coming into his best years but appears to be going backwards. That said, would be some dip in form to see him miss the cut. Vincent Kompany - pictured looking dejected after the defeat by Crrytal Palace - is still the No 1 choice . Centre back - Chris Smalling . Impressive in recent weeks before illness, keeping the likes of Harry Kane and Daniel Sturridge quiet. Deserves his chance to rectify his derby disaster, when he was red-carded at the Etihad in November. Chris Smalling was sent off in the last Manchester Derby in November and will be looking to make amends . Left Back - Gael Clichy . Both clubs may strengthen at left back in the summer although United will want more from Luke Shaw. Clichy has done well to keep out Aleksandar Kolarov for long periods and is a better left back than Daley Blind, despite the versatile Dutchman's sterling performances there recently. Both United and City will be looking to strengthen at left back this summer but for now Gael Clichy is best fit . Sport analysts BSports are predicting Manchester City are likely to win the derby at Old Trafford . Centre midfield - Michael Carrick . Finally getting the recognition he deserves outside of Old Trafford. At 33 he is excelling at the back of midfield in a quarterback role and has been at the heart of United's revival. Michael Carrick has been at the heart of Man United's revival - playing in a quarterback position in midfield . Centre midfield - Ander Herrera . United's man-of-the-moment finally appears to be on the right side of Van Gaal after a sluggish start. The box-to-box Spaniard is evidence of the Dutchman's claims that given time to adapt to his methods, his players will succeed. Ander Herrera is Louis van Gaal's man of the moment and seems to be flourishing in the manager's system . Attacking midfield - Juan Mata . March's player of the month is another to flourish after a sluggish opening. His two goals at Liverpool and understanding with Ander Herrera have helped United launch what looked for a long time like an unlikely assault on second place. Juan Mata has a fine understanding with Herrera and scored this stunning goal against Liverpool last month . Attacking midfield - David Silva . Arguably City's greatest player of all time, the nimble-footed magician drifts effortlessly into the side. Has remained superb despite the slump and continues to create chances for his suddenly-wasteful team-mates. David Silva has remained superb despite City's slum and continues to create chances for his team-mates . Attacking midfield - Wayne Rooney . The Scouser who loves the Manchester derby. Has scored 11 times against City and has more goals than anyone else in the long history of this fixture. Wayne Rooney has scored more goals than anyone in the Manchester Derby and is in good form up front . Striker - Sergio Aguero . Another underperformer who should be doing better for City, the Argentine has not scored in his last six matches. That said, few would bet against him ending that run on enemy territory. Sergio Aguero is another City underperformer but could end his six-game run without a goal against United . PLAYER TALLY . MANCHESTER UNITED - 6 . MANCHESTER CITY - 5 .
target: Manchester United lead Manchester City in Premier League ahead of derby .
  Manuel Pellegrini's side are in poor form ahead of Old Trafford clash .
  Louis van Gaal has found a system to suit his Man United squad .
  Ander Herrera, Juan Mata and Wayne Rooney are in fine form .
  The defence may struggle, but our XI has plenty of playmakers and goals .
  Manchester United vs Manchester City: The experts view of the big derby .