Is Sneijder Better Suited to the Red or Blue Side of Manchester?

The future of Inter Milan's Wesley Sneijder remains one of football's greatest mysteries at the moment, with an ongoing transfer saga involving Manchester United, repeatedly being rebuffed by both parties, continuing to circulate the back pages.

United's Community Shield opponents and bitter rivals Manchester City have since been linked with an interest in the Dutch international, who has himself claimed to be up for sale due to Inter's apparent need for funds.

Mancini's expected further forays into the market may well hinge on the future of one of his own star players. Former City skipper Carlos Tevez has made his desire to leave the club known, though prospective suitors have not exactly lambasted City with offers, with only ex-employers Corinthians making a firm offer for the Argentine.

Interestingly, Inter have been one of the top clubs credited with a firm interest in Tevez, though their need to sell, with Sneijder being a prime candidate to raise finances, has thus far stunted any official move.

So with both sides of Manchester believed to be holding a strong liking for Sneijder, which team needs him more and where would he best fit in? WhoScored investigates...

Sneijder vs United's Attacking Midfielders

A look at Sneijder's passing stats show his influence upon the Inter Milan set-up as well as his excellence in distribution and chance creation. In making 2.9 key passes per game he trumps all of United's attacking playmakers, including Rooney. However, Every single United player, as well as new signing Ashley Young, chipped in with over 2 key passes per game, helping their side to Premier League glory last term.

Despite making a superior contribution in terms of key passes, Sneijder only managed to pick up 5 assists last season, only bettering Valencia's 2 in this regard, though the Ecuadorian's total came from just 8 starts. The Dutchman was again bettered by Valencia in terms of pass accuracy with 85%-86%, though his total was significantly higher than the rest of the United recruits.

The range of the Holland international's passing is shown by his list high figure of 4.8 successful long balls per game, whilst he also fared well compared to Ferguson's men in terms of through balls per game with 0.6- only Young fared better, at Villa last season, with 0.7.

United Lacking Deep-Lying Playmaker

A position in which United have been less formidable may well be a deep-lying playmaker, with Sneijder not really fitting the bill. The Red Devils have the likes of Fletcher, Carrick, Park and Anderson at their disposal, with only the former really stamping down a place prior to a mysterious virus picked up earlier in the year. Ryan Giggs, at 39, remains a huge asset but is likely to play less and less as his career draws to a close, though his intelligence on the ball is still unquestionable.

Following a successful comeback in the Community Shield, coming from 2 down to beat City 3-2, Tom Cleverley has been thrust into the limelight, and indeed the senior England squad, due to a fantastic second half display. Ferguson will be hoping the youngster can build on his successful loan spell with Wigan last year to push for a place at Old Trafford this time around, so may not be desperate to spend.

Formation Implications

A move for Sneijder from Alex Ferguson may well lead to wholesale changes to the Scot's line-up, let alone formation. With the season now upon us, the experienced manager is likely to have his starting XI already in mind, and in Rooney and Hernandez, struck gold with a strike partnership that couldn't stop scoring.

Dutch playmaker Sneijder played much of last season in an advanced role behind the Inter strikers, a position that Rooney made his own behind Hernandez. With the club having already signed Ashley Young, who played in a similar role at Villa last term, Ferguson is inundated with attacking talent, with Nani and Valencia adding options out wide.

Sneijder vs City's Attacking Midfielders

While United's analysed options all supplied over 2 key passes per game, only David Silva managed the feat for Man City last term, with Sneijder's 2.9 dwarfing Mancini's attacking middle man from last season's figure, with Toure averaging 1.1. Where 3 United players managed 10 assists or more last season, Silva again led the way for City with 7, with Sneijder's figure of 5 more aligned to Mancini's men’s totals.

City's tendency to play short passing football is highlighted in the stats with only Toure completing over 3 long passes per game, compared to Sneijder's 4.8. The Dutchman's average of 0.6 through balls per game also leads the way, along with a figure of 1.2 successful crosses per game, with no City player here averaging over 1. The figures show that Sneijder would add a range of distribution unparalleled by any of the Citizen's ranks, indicating that he could prove to be a more valuable capture to Roberto Mancini.

City Not So Slickers
Mancini has picked up a reputation for adopting a somewhat 'Italian style' of measured football, building his side from a solid defensive unit. The club's consistent spending has led to a somewhat disjointed attacking line-up, highlighted by their lack of performance in the Community Shield, despite taking a 2-0 lead. The constant influx of new blood has led to criticisms of lacking team unity, and they were certainly outfoxed by a young United line-up in the second half of Sunday's encounter. Mancini's men lacked a creative force from central positions and Sneijder epitomises the phrase.

Where United perhaps lack numbers, City are particularly strong. With Sneijder's fellow Dutchman Nigel De Jong protecting an already reliable back four, the blue's attacking options are afforded the chance to thrive, as Sneijder is in the national side. Yaya Toure played well in an attacking midfield position for much of last season having been utilized as a defence minded option at Barcelona beforehand, and could prove to be a perfect partner for to diminutive De Jong in a City double pivot.

Formation Implications

Pushing leggy Ivorian Toure back alongside De Jong, whilst allowing him the option to support attacks, would accommodate for any move for Sneijder. However, any such transfer is hugely dependant on the future of Carlos Tevez, who has been joined at Eastlands by compatriot Sergio Aguero this summer. It is fair to say that neither Mario Balotelli nor Edin Dzeko have lived up to their price tags as yet, and both are likely to play second fiddle to the club's new Argentine.

With Silva and either Johnson, Balotelli or Milner adding width, Sneijder could revel in behind the free-scoring Aguero at City and would slot in with far less detriment to the original set-up than he would at United.