Manchester United face rivals Manchester City in a derby that could be crucial for Pep Guardiola’s hopes of Champions League qualification next season.
Guardiola’s team will want to avenge December’s shock derby defeat at the Etihad, when United scored two late goals in two minutes to flip the contest on its head as the Red Devils came out 2-1 victors. The visitors are still reeling from the news of Erling Haaland’s injury, with the Norwegian striker set to miss seven weeks of action, while it has also been confirmed that Kevin De Bruyne will leave the club at the end of the season after a decade-long spell in Manchester.
City will nonetheless fancy their chances at Old Trafford as they look to strengthen their position, with United’s poor performances continuing with the midweek loss to Nottingham Forest. Harry Maguire’s late introduction up front again highlighted a problem area for Ruben Amorim, even if the makeshift striker almost nicked a point, but the Portuguese manager has tasted success against Manchester City twice this season and will hope for another win.
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Match facts
For City, six defeats in their last 11 top-flight away matches (W3, D2) is as many as they had suffered in their previous 37 combined.
The away team has won 10 of the last 18 league meetings between these sides. Since the 2015-16 campaign, the only Premier League fixture with more away wins is Crystal Palace versus Liverpool (12).
Shaw returns for United
One of the positives for Manchester United today is the fact that Luke Shaw is on the bench.
Ruben Amorim spoke ahead of kick off and mentioned the experience that Shaw can bring to the young team but says the defender will only be able to manage ‘a few minutes’.
‘Guardiola may have shown a sentimental streak’
“Pep Guardiola may have shown a sentimental streak, starting Kevin De Bruyne in what will prove his final Manchester derby.
“With Mateo Kovacic and Ilkay Gundogan also playing, it is an aged midfield. And as they are up against Casemiro, this may prove a particularly slow clash in midfield.
“Meanwhile, the lesser-spotted Luke Shaw is back on the bench. The stakes have been huge in some Manchester derbies.
“Not this one, even though City are trying to qualify for the Champions League.”
Head-to-head
These two sides have met a total of 195 times, with United winning 80, City winning 62 and 53 ending as draws.
Earlier this season, United grabbed a comeback win with two goals in as many minutes – including a brilliant winner from Amad – as they won 2-1 at the Etihad.
Match facts
United are aiming to go four matches without defeat against City for the first time since January 2010 to February 2011.
They have lost 13 times in the Premier League this campaign, one short of their club record of 14, set last season.
Ruben Amorim ‘in a rush’ to restore Manchester United’s glory days as he sets title timeline
Ruben Amorim declared that he is in a rush to bring back the glory days to Manchester United but said he would not be crazy enough to think they will win the title next season.
Chief executive Omar Berrada launched ‘Project 150’, United’s plan to try and win the Premier League title by their 150th anniversary in 2028, but while Amorim said he does not have a timetable, he will not ask for time and is putting pressure on himself to succeed soon.
Match facts
Manchester United are aiming to complete their first league double over Manchester City since the 2019-20 campaign.
City’s nine away wins at Old Trafford is the most by any side in the Premier League. Five of those victories have come under Pep Guardiola, the most of any visiting manager in the competition.
United and City face off in lowest-calibre Manchester derby for decades
Welcome to Manchester, to borrow a hackneyed phrase. Although the invitation may seem less enticing than it has for quite some time.
“This, without a shadow of a doubt, will be the global capital of football in the rest of the 21st century,” said the mayor, Andy Burnham, last year. He may yet be proved right and the Everton supporter was talking in the context of a new Old Trafford and an expanded Etihad Stadium. But not now.
If Madrid has had a stronger case to be the world’s footballing capital over recent years, Manchester could have regarded itself as England’s unofficial centre. Some 21 of the 32 Premier League titles have gone to Manchester, an era of United dominance followed by one of Citysuperiority. Its twin halves have converged on London for the 2023 and 2024 FA Cup finals. Since the Premier League was founded, United and City have a combined 64 trophies.