Manchester United vs Manchester City is a match which is marked on most football fans calendar.
Manchester United vs Manchester City is a must watch as united have lost three of their first ten league games (W5, D2) for the fourth consecutive season, and are now three points behind cross-city rivals Manchester City following a recent slump in PL form (W1, D1, L3).
Manchester United hosts reigning Premier League (PL) champions Manchester City in the 186th edition of the Manchester derby, one of the world’s most important football matches, with both sides looking to put recent setbacks behind them.
Given the pressure on manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, one might assume the gap was wider, but after a 5-0 thrashing in one derby (vs Liverpool) already this season, he can’t afford another poor showing here.
The ‘Red Devils’ have done well in recent years in the Manchester derby, losing only one of the last five competitive meetings (W3, D1), and will be confident of dealing an early blow to their title-chasing opponents.
Manchester City, on the other hand, have won just one of their last six Premier League head-to-heads at Old Trafford (D2, L3), which could give them a boost as they look to bounce back from a surprise 2-0 loss to Crystal Palace in their last league outing.
They fell five points behind leaders Chelsea as a result, though a 4-1 thrashing of Club Brugge in midweek will have boosted morale ahead of what could be a season-defining match for both sides.
Manchester City’s defeat to Palace was their first at home this season, and it’s worth noting that the last time they lost consecutive league matches, the first of those losses was against none other than Palace!
That could give manager Pep Guardiola some food for thought, especially since they’ve now lost two of their first ten league games for the third straight season (W6, D2).
Players to Watch
Gabriel Jesus scored Manchester City’s fourth goal of the season against Brugge, and he has now scored three of his four competitive club goals this season after halftime.
Bruno Fernandes, who scored the first goal in the most recent Premier League derby, is in the same boat.
Manchester City have a perfect record (W4) in the Premier League after leading at half-time this season.
Match Information
Referee: Oliver M. (Eng), Venue: Old Trafford (Manchester)
Team News
Manchester United
Raphael Varane was injured in the first half of Manchester United’s match against Atalanta and has been ruled out for around five weeks with a hamstring problem.
Victor Lindelof was injured and missed the draw with Atalanta, but he has since been included in the Sweden squad for the upcoming break, indicating that the injury isn’t serious.
If he is deemed unfit to play as early as Saturday, United will be forced to revert to a back four.
If necessary, Luke Shaw could slot into the back three, but Solskjaer is unlikely to trust Alex Telles or Diogo Dalot in the left wing-back position.
After starting in the Champions League, Paul Pogba returns to his domestic suspension.
That, however, is not a bad thing after his midweek performance.
Due to medical reasons, Edinson Cavani has been left out of Uruguay’s squad for the upcoming break, putting his availability for this match in doubt.
Cavani was expected to start against City, but this is an unexpected and unfathomable turn of events.
Manchester City
Following his red card in last weekend’s 2-0 loss to Crystal Palace, Aymeric Laporte will serve a one-match suspension against Manchester United on Saturday.
John Stones will fill in for him.
Raheem Sterling has struggled for form all season and is unlikely to start here, despite the fact that he has yet to score against Manchester United in 23 appearances.
As a result of the absence of Ferran Torres, one of Phil Foden or Kevin De Bruyne will play as the false nine.
Former Manchester United target Jack Grealish is still settling in at City, and it wouldn’t be surprising if he was dropped from the starting lineup here, with Foden pushed to the left wing.
Kyle Walker picked up a knock in the Champions League win last week and is a doubt for this match, with Oleksandar Zinchenko on standby to replace him.
Match Facts: Manchester United vs Manchester City
Under 2.5 goals have been scored in each of Man United’s last six matches against Man City in all competitions.
In all competitions, Man United has kept a clean sheet in 5 of their last 6 matches against Man City.
Man City has won 17 out of their last 19 away games (Premier League).
In Man United’s last three games, there have been more than 2.5 goals scored (Premier League).
Tottenham 0-3 Manchester United: Ole reply critics in stylePrediction:Manchester United vs Manchester City
After a 5-0 loss to Liverpool, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was reportedly given three matches to save his job at Manchester United, and he has since beaten Tottenham and drew with Atalanta.
The back three performed admirably against a poor Tottenham team, but fell short against Atalanta.
That defense looks even more suspect on Saturday with Raphael Varane ruled out.
Manchester City defeated Club Bruges 4-1 on Wednesday night, but Pep Guardiola’s side was surprisingly strong.
Even though both matches are in Manchester, it will be interesting to see how they perform here given the short turnaround between matches.
Only Jose Mourinho and Jurgen Klopp have won more games against Pep Guardiola’s teams than Solskjaer, but it’s difficult to see United coming out on top.
When they face a half-decently coached team, they appear extremely vulnerable.
Over 1.5 goals to be scored
Where to Watch: Manchester United vs Manchester City
Canal+ 4K Ultra (Pol), CANAL+ Sport 2 (Pol), CANAL+ Sport (Fra), COSMOTE Sport, DAZN Japan, Premier Sport 1 (Cze), RMC Sport, Setanta Sports Eurasia, Setanta Sports (Ukr), Sky Sport (Ger), Sky Sports Main Event (UK/Irl), Sky Sports Premier League (UK/Irl), Spiler1 TV, Sport TV (Por), TV2 Sport Premium, TV3+, Viaplay (Den), Viaplay (Fin), Viaplay (Swe), V Sport Jalkapallo, V Sport Premium (Swe), Ziggo Kanaal 14, Ziggo Sport Select
