That’s an Achilles heel for them, that’s a vulnerability
Craig Burley on how Man Utd can expose Man City
United are big underdogs to take points off City and help bitter rivals Liverpool in their quest for a first Premier League title.
But Burley has noticed one area United can look to exploit in their own battle to make the top four.
The Scot noticed a weakness in the Manchester City defence during the 1-0 win over Tottenham on Saturday.
Burley says Spurs looked to clip the ball over the top of the City full-backs whenever the hosts lost the ball.
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Burley says behind the full-backs is where Man Utd can exploit Man City (Image: ESPN)
Tottenham caused Man City problems on Saturday despite losing 1-0 (Image: GETTY)
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And he reckons with United’s pace on the break, that could be where the Red Devils get some joy.
“When City are in possession and the two full-backs push on, and the wide guys kind of tuck in, if they lose it, City, and if United watched what Tottenham did, which was hit the ball early and over the top to expose, on Saturday it was [Aymeric] Laporte and [John] Stones,” Burley said.
“I don’t know what the centre-half pairing will be for City, because it could change.
Man City will go top of the table with a win at Man Utd (Image: GETTY)
“But that’s an Achilles heel for them, that’s a vulnerability.
“When they’re left sort of two against one or two against two as the full-backs push on, when [Christian] Eriksen in particular was lobbing it in behind and [Heung-min] Son was running in, it caused them all sorts of problems.
“That’s the only way I can see United exposing that backline.”