Fixed v fluid - the opposing approaches of Maresca and Carrick

There are many things that Manchester City and Manchester United have in common - but one thing decisively separates them this season.

Based just five miles apart and united by a shared desire to return to the top of the Premier League, their gameplans are almost diametrically opposed.

The best teams in the world often play in similar ways, as demonstrated in last season's Champions League final between between Paris St-Germain and Arsenal - teams who use similar shapes, look to dominate the ball, and encourage rotations into fixed positions.

But looking ahead to Sunday's Manchester derby, expect to see City boss Enzo Maresca and his United counterpart Michael Carrick field teams teams that play in a totally different way to each other.

In short, City use a rigid structure with players precisely positioned, while United have a more fluid approach that has some positional guidelines but allows players the freedom to roam - here is how it works in detail.

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Striking a balance between control and freedom

Maresca, inspired by mentor and former City boss Pep Guardiola, hopes to create a side synonymous with control, dominating as much of the ball as possible, looking to reduce the uncertainty that comes with playing football.

The Italian has often compared the move-based nature of chess to football, so it is not a surprise that positional play is the foundation of his sides.

These are ideas that have proved successful in modern football but Carrick's United deviate from this approach more than most.

This is not to say there are not positional ideas in Carrick's United.

There are, as we will go on to highlight, but they are certainly a smaller part of his game when compared to Maresca.

This balance is illustrated well in Carrick's quotes about how he first managed 21-year-old midfielder Kobbie Mainoo.

"I [was] really conscious of not giving him an awful lot [of instructions]," he said. "A couple of little pointers, a few positional things, but to trust in what he is. He's a fantastic footballer."

How Carrick's United use positional ideas

United keep their two centre-backs in fixed positions.

In United's midfield the deepest midfielder is tasked with helping in build-up play, either as part of a narrow midfield two - alongside United's second midfielder - or by dropping deep to create a back three with the centre-backs.

If the back three is created, the second midfielder holds his position in the centre of midfield alone.

The full-backs begin by holding more natural left and right full-back positions in build-up play. Higher up the pitch, they may join the attacking line.

When this happens, they position themselves based on their team-mate on the wing - with one out wide and one more central.

Meanwhile, the number 10 and striker have looked to drop deep, forming what looks more like a fluid front two at times.

The reasons behind United's shape

There is logic to these positions.

With the holding midfielder given the license to drop to form a temporary back three, United have the option to overload teams that press with two strikers.

Against narrow teams, United's wide full-backs give them an option to play around the opposition, but Carrick's men often look to play through the middle of the pitch instead - something that appears they have been coached to do.

The positions of the full-backs help by enticing narrow opponents to be stretched wider. Concerned by the threat of United's full-backs in space, the opposition may move over, which frees up space for team-mates to pass the ball into the midfielders in the centre of the pitch.

By playing into the middle even when it is congested, United draw opponents towards the ball. This results in Carrick's wide men finding themselves with more time and space on the ball.

The central clusters of players set United up to try and crowd around the ball if it is lost, hoping to win it back.

How Carrick and Maresca view player freedom

The shapes and positions outlined above give United's players a framework to start from.

But players who able to impact the game from different parts of the pitch are trusted to move more freely. This gives United a level of unpredictability which comes with pros and cons.

If Fernandes or Cunha decide that the game requires them to move close to the ball, away from the middle and closer to the touchline, they will do so.