Man Utd vs Man City LIVE: Kevin De Bruyne begins as rivals conflict in Manchester derby amid Premier League struggles
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.
Follow all of the latest from Old Trafford in our live blog below:
Man City line-up to face Man Utd
Man City XI: Ederson, Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly, Gundogan, Kovacic, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Foden, Marmoush
Man Utd line-up to face Man City
Man Utd XI: Onana; Mazraoui, Maguire, Yoro; Dalot, Ugarte, Casemiro, Dorgu; Garnacho, Hojlund, Fernandes
Team news
We’re expecting the line-ups to come in five minutes, so here’s a reminder of the team news…
Man United’s injury woes have eased since the international break, with defensive pair Leny Yoro and Harry Maguire both making their return in United’s 1-0 loss at Nottingham Forest. Amad Diallo, the matchwinner in the Etihad clash, is among the long-term absentees that will miss out, with the likes of Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Kobbie Mainoo and Ayden Heaven also unavailable.
For Man City, Erling Haaland is out after picking up an ankle injury in their FA Cup quarter-final win over Bournemouth. In-form Omar Marmoush will likely start in his stead, a first Manchester derby for the Egyptian. Phil Foden, Bernardo Silvaand Kevin De Bruyne will all be fresh having been unused substitutes in the 2-0 win over Leicester and will be expected to feature in some capacity.
Kevin De Bruyne was the magician who brought personality to the Man City machine
And before we get to the team news, a tribute to City’s retiring Belgian…
Kevin De Bruyne came to Manchester City as their record signing and will leave as their greatest ever player. “Every story comes to an end,” he said, announcing his summer departure. A coda to the last chapter has long seemed obvious. Manchester, he said, will forever be in his family’s hearts and a version of him will surely forever be around the Etihad Stadium. De Bruyne is likely to be immortalised in bronze, celebrated in a statue.
Opponents can admire him there, safe in the knowledge their defence will not be unlocked by an act of extraordinary brilliance. As Pep Guardiola reacted to De Bruyne’s decision, the City manager underlined how productive an artist has been. “I read today that he’s been involved in 280 goals and assists,” said Guardiola.
Even more. In a decade, De Bruyne has scored 106 times for City, made a further 176 goals. He predated Guardiola by a year but no one has ever made more goals for the Catalan’s teams than the Belgian, with 161.
Kevin De Bruyne confirms Man City exit with emotional statement
De Bruyne, 33, enjoyed a glittering 10-season spell under Pep Guardiola, becoming the focal part of a team that embarked on an era of Premier League dominance.
The Belgian has won 16 trophies since joining from Wolfsburg in 2015, including six league titles as well as a famous club-first Champions League in 2023.
Is the match on TV?
When is Man United vs Man City
The Manchester derby is due to kick off at 4:30pm BST at Old Trafford in Manchester.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, with coverage on the channel starting from 4pm BST.
Prediction
You don’t need to have been meticulously keeping up with the Premier League this season to know United are in a bit of a state. Languishing in 13th, their season is all but over. City, meanwhile, are in need of points to keep pace in the fiercely competitive race for Champions League. They have more to play for and they are simply the better the team – the factors point towards a City win.
Man United 0-2 Man City
Predicted line-ups
Man United XI: Onana; De Ligt, Maguire, Yoro; Dalot, Fernandes, Ugarte, Dorgu; Mount, Garnacho, Hojlund.
Man City XI: Ederson; Nunez, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Gundogan, Gonzalez; Savio, Silva, Foden; Marmoush.
Team news
For Man City, Erling Haaland is out after picking up an ankle injury in their FA Cup quarter-final win over Bournemouth. In-form Omar Marmoush will likely start in his stead, a first Manchester derby for the Egyptian. Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva and Kevin De Bruyne will all be fresh having been unused substitutes in the 2-0 win over Leicester and will be expected to feature in some capacity.
