In the midst of a horror run, Manchester City will hope the rivalry and rancour of derby day can provide a lift as Manchester United visit the Etihad Stadium.
Pep Guardiola’s side have won just once in their last 10 games with both their Premier League title challenge and hopes of qualification for the Champions League knockout rounds taking a significant blow. To make matters worse, Guardiola is facing a defensive crisis this afternoon with Rico Lewis suspended and several other regular starters out, leaving the Catalan coach to consider radical solutions to spark a turnaround in form.
For Ruben Amorim, this will be a first taste of a famous fixture as the Portuguese manager continues to search for his best system and side. Amorim was pleased with the fight his team showed in the Europa League win on Thursday night but a mixed record since his arrival reflects the teething problems evident throughout his tenure so far. Can he become only the sixth manager to win their first Manchester derby in the Premier League era?
Follow all of the latest from the Manchester derby in our live blog below:
Manchester City 0-0 Manchester United
The first half-chance of the game comes to City, as Doku’s cross is headed away to the feet of Foden, who drives a volley wide of the near post.
Manchester City 0-0 Manchester United
City with 58 per cent of the possession, and neither side has had a shot yet. Tells you what you need to know so far.
Manchester City 0-0 Manchester United
A little bit of frustration from both sides as a couple of promising attacks break down too easily. City do follow it with some well-worked combinations between Foden and De Bruyne, but it’s a little too static at the moment.
Manchester City 0-0 Manchester United
Mason Mount’s departure felt sadly predictable but continues his horrible misfortune with injuries. Mount is a player Ruben Amorim really likes and one of the few who suits his 3-4-3 formation. Without Garnacho and Rashford, Amorim had fewer options to replace him and United have a more defensive look now, with Kobbie Mainoo coming on in midfield and Bruno Fernandes moving further forward.
Manchester City 0-0 Manchester United
A nice spin from Doku ends up winning the first dangerous free-kick of the game for City, not far from the United box.
City take it quickly down to Doku on the wing, but his cross is headed away before Gundogan clips a cross out for a goal kick.
Manchester City 0-0 Manchester United
Mount comes off and he’s replaced by Kobbie Mainoo. Such poor luck for the 25-year-old.
Manchester City 0-0 Manchester United
United are enjoying a little more success with their possession in the last few minutes, though Amad is now flagged offside. The away side re trying to stifle City at the moment, in a similar way to how they did against Arsenal.
Mason Mount is down injured, and he looks like he’ll have to come off.
Manchester City 0-0 Manchester United
A real lack of quality from Dalot as he cuts back outside to make the space and then clips in a cross to nobody, straight out of play. The Portuguese was notably poor in the loss against Forest, so can he recover to produce better today?
Manchester City 0-0 Manchester United
Both sides have been guilty of giving up possession far too easily on a couple of occasions, though neither have been in dangerous positions. There’s plenty of nerves at the Etihad.
Amad tries to clip in a ball to the overlapping Fernandes, but Walker was covering well.