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Manchester looks like being the setting for some of the biggest battles in football this season.
The city's two clubs have already played out one of the fiercest contests in the Premier League this term and look like going head-to-head in the title race, too.
Now the fortunes of Manchester United and Manchester City are to play a part in deciding one of the closest competitions in the England squad.
The thrilling contest between the two clubs last month, which saw United beat their neighbours City 4-3 with an injury-time goal, proved there was little between the two sides.
The fight between Michael Carrick and Gareth Barry for a starting role at the World Cup next summer could be even closer. In the blue corner there is Barry, who is the current favourite having cemented a regular place under coach Fabio Capello before he improved his credentials by moving to Eastlands from Aston Villa for £12million in the summer.
However, he faces a real challenge from Carrick, in the red corner at Old Trafford, while United's Owen Hargreaves is also waiting in the wings, depending on his ability to make a full recovery from long-term knee injuries.
The position of holding midfielder has emerged as one of the most crucial in the modern game and will be particularly vital to England's chances in South Africa where the attackminded Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard and Aaron Lennon could leave the team exposed at the back.
The position's importance was highlighted against Ukraine at the weekend, where England were down to 10 men for three-quarters of the match and struggled at both ends of the pitch.
Carrick must have been cursing his misfortune after being given a rare chance to impress in what was his first start in a competitive England game since playing in the 2-0 defeat away to Croatia in October 2006.
Of course, he has featured in friendlies since then and as he demonstrated in the impressive 2-1 victory away to Germany last November, he has all the talent to make the position his own.
Yet, against Ukraine he struggled to dictate proceedings, which was understandable considering England were a man down and had sacrificed Lennon so that David James could replace the sent off Robert Green in goal.
He is expected to make way for Barry in England's final qualifier against Belarus tomorrow but, according to Frank Lampard, the scrap between the two is far from over.
Lampard has thrived playing alongside Barry at international level over the past 12 months, yet is also a huge admirer of Carrick having first struck up a good understanding with him at West Ham, where they both started their careers.
The 31-year-old is all too aware that the two of them are going head-to-head for a starting role at the World Cup and believes their form for their clubs this season could be decisive.
Lampard said: "Both of them are already influential for their clubs and the prospect of playing for England next summer will push them on to do even better.
"They're both very similar in the way they play and have a similar passing range. They show it for their clubs all the time and have a very good defensive mind.
"They don't run around making crazy tackles all over the place but they're always in good positions beforehand so they're intercepting balls because of being in the right place at the right time.
"I think they both have very good attributes. They're not exactly the same player but they can perform very good roles in holding midfield as well as getting forward.
"We're lucky to have two players who can do as well as that. It's a really tough decision for Fabio to make but I think he appreciates being in that position."
Carrick's main problem is that while his meek display in Ukraine can be put down to mitigating circumstances, he has struggled in two higher-profile games this season.
The artistry of Spanish duo Xavi and Andres Iniesta proved too good for him in an England shirt back in February when Capello's side lost 2-0.
The pair repeated the trick three months later, this time in Barcelona's victory over Manchester United in the Champions League Final.
It has led many to wonder whether the 28-year-old is tough enough to compete against the very best, but Lampard added: "I think sometimes his calmness in the way he comes across gets mistaken for someone who is too relaxed.
"It does surprise me that he hasn't started more competitive games for England because he has played at a consistently high level for United and always done well for the national team in friendlies. He will want to play more and hopefully he can because he contributes."
Noticeably, Barry is fully aware of Carrick's threat and is certainly not taking his place in the first XI for granted.
At the moment his more assured presence in front of the back four has given him an edge in the battle to secure the holding role, yet as far as he is concerned, the challenge to stay ahead of Carrick in the pecking order is only just beginning.
Barry said: "There is rivalry everywhere. At the moment, Michael and I are likely to be England's two holding midfielders.
"The World Cup is still a long way away and it is down to me to make sure that I stay in the squad and the World Cup team."
Reader views (2)
Ted you are absolutely spot on. The great shame is that Owen Hargreaves isn't fit.
- Mark, South-East London, 13/10/2009 16:33
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Barry will be fine. You actually have to run in international football, much like in League football-Carrick isn't too good at that. Carrick is not a natural tackler either, so holding midfielder is not perfect for him either. A holding midfielder has to hustle across the pitch-Carrick doesn't do that either.
Yes he can pass and has vision, but so does Barry.
Anyone who disagrees, watch CArrick when we played Spain last year-embarassingly slow in comparison. Yes, Barry didn't have a great night either, but he was a lot more useful than Carrick-crossing for Agbonlahor who missed a good chance, and also having a header that he should maybe have scored from. And Carrick? Didn't do much.
- Ted, London UK, 13/10/2009 11:03
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