Manchester derby: Can United shock City? Team news, predictions and all to know
The biggest Premier League match of the weekend is Sunday’s Manchester derby between Manchester United and Manchester City.
The derby could significantly affect both the title’s fate and United coach Erik ten Hag’s future.
Despite the loss of Jack Grealish to injury, City won Luton 6-1 on Tuesday night and Erling Haaland scored five goals in that win. If Haaland and Kevin de Bruyne continue to play at their peak, Sunday afternoon at Etihad Stadium might be very difficult for United.
With 35 home games unbeaten in all competitions (W30, D5), City is just one game short of their longest run of this kind under Pep Guardiola, which dates back to 2016. The 42-match club record was established between December 1919 and November 1921.
On the other hand, Erik Ten Hag’s team has won six of their past seven games in all competitions; their only loss in nine league and cup games this year came against Fulham last weekend.
A late goal saw Manchester United into the quarterfinals of the FA Cup in midweek, but fans at Old Trafford have fresh memories of last weekend’s defeat at home to Fulham and the Dutch needs a good performance, otherwise doubts over his leadership will continue to grow.
United managed a somewhat inconsequential victory away against Nottingham Forest, to cap that dramatic loss to Fulham the last weekend.
With the exception of United’s 2-1 league victory at Old Trafford last season, Manchester City has won Manchester United five times in their last six meetings across all competitions.
MANCHESTER UNITED VS MANCHESTER CITY
At this point, Jack Grealish is City’s only real doubt for the Manchester derby. Josko Gvardiol is still out of the picture, but as Guardiola said last week, the defender is almost ready to return, however this game might come too early for him.
Haaland has also stated that he is “finally feeling good” following a hard season with injuries, which should be a concern for the visitors.
Ten Hag is not expecting any of his long term injury players to make a comeback on Sunday.
Mason Mount, Tyrell Malacia, Anthony Martial, Lisandro Martinez, and Rasmus Hojlund are all out of the derby.
Harry Maguire did not play in the Forest game, therefore his fitness will need to be evaluated.
However, despite having health concerns, Bruno Fernandes and Raphael Varane both played through Wednesday’s victory against Nottingham Forest, and they are both expected to be available again.
MANCHESTER CITY vs MANCHESTER UNITED TIME AND VENUE
Kick-off date is Sunday 3rd March, 2024.
Kick-off time is 4:30pm WAT
Venue is Etihad Stadium
Referee will be Andrew Madley
MANCHESTER CITY PREDICTED STARTING LINE-UP
Ederson, Walker, Dias, Akanji, Ake, Rodri, Stones, Silva, De Bruyne, Foden, Haaland
MANCHESTER UNITED PREDICTED STARTING LINE-UP
Onana, Dalot, Varane, Evans, Lindelof, Mainoo, Casemiro, Eriksen, Fernandes, Garnacho, Rashford
MANCHESTER CITY VS MANCHESTER UNITED PREDICTION
Although City have struggled a bit this season, the citizens appears to have clicked in the last few weeks. Erling Haaland, who this week scored five goals against Luton Town, will try to continue that fine form.
Despite their recent bad performance at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester United has made significant progress over the last month.
However, based just on paper and the ease with which teams are playing through Ten Hag’s side, Manchester City is the superior squad and ought to prevail in this encounter.
Man City to win 2-1.
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