Man Utd vs Man City LIVE: Premier League updates as Kevin De Bruyne begins in ultimate Manchester derby
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 Utd 0-0 Man City
21 mins: Close!
A lovely switch from Garnacho finds Diogo Dalot on the right wing.
He brings the ball under control and lifts a cross into the middle.
Manuel Ugarte misses it with an attempted header which potential hinders Garnacho’s vision.
The ball drops to him but he fumbles an attempt to either head or volley the ball and ends up scuffing it to the nearest defender.
Man Utd 0-0 Man City
18 mins: Chance! Nico O’Reilly takes the direct option with a long ball forward.
Omar Marmoush collects it gratefully and pokes the ball into the box. He shoots but Harry Maguire gets back in time to block it.
The ball goes out for a corner which Kevin De Bruyne swings into the box. There’s a scramble for the ball before Rasmus Hojlund clears it.
Man Utd 0-0 Man City
15 mins: Casemiro chips a nice pass up the pitch and picks out Rasmus Hojlund.
He nods the ball into the penalty area and holds off Ruben Dias only for Josko Gvardiol to arrive on his right and nick the ball off him.
Man Utd 0-0 Man City
12 mins: Foden is down after tangling with Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro. The latter lunged into a heavy tackle and the City midfielder has an issue.
The physios are called for and there’s a break in play.
Man Utd 0-0 Man City
9 mins: Other than Garnacho’s dart in behind it’s been a rather sedate start to this match.
City are trying to gain some control and force United deeper but so far the hosts’ defence has been up to the task of keeping them quiet.
Phil Foden takes a shot from the edge of the box after cutting inside from the right but he pulls his effort wide of the nearest post.
‘Guardiola likes to spring surprises’
“Pep Guardiola likes to spring a surprise in big games and may have done so again by fielding Kevin De Bruyne as a centre-forward.
“Something for United’s three centre-backs to ponder, especially if he doesn’t play up against them.”
Man Utd 0-0 Man City
6 mins: Now it’s Man City’s turn to assert some control on the ball.
They work it over to Bernardo Silva on the right win g but he’s forced backwards.
Nico Reilly receives the ball and finds Kevin De Bruyne who will be hoping to impress on his final Manchester derby.
He’s only lost one of these matches at Old Trafford.
Man Utd 0-0 Man City
3 mins: That foul on Garnacho was just outside the box with the Argentine appealing for a penalty.
The decision from the referee to give a free kick was the correct one and a good spot from David Brooks.
Fernandes takes the free kick and drills it into the wall where Omar Marmoush deflects it behind for a corner which Man City deal with.
Kick off! Man Utd 0-0 Man City
Bruno Fernandes gets the ball rolling at Old Trafford as the referee signals for play to begin.
The Red Devils work the ball around at the back before a slick move sees Patrick Dorgu send the ball up to Rasmus Hojlund.
He flicks it on for Alejandro Garnacho to sprint up the pitch.
He gets to the edge of the box and is brought down by Ruben Dias who is booked. Quick start!
Man Utd vs Man City
The players make their way out onto the pitch at Old Trafford.
Kevin De Bruyne leads out Manchester City for the final time in this derby ahead of his exit from the club this summer.
Bruno Fernandes has the armband for Man Utd. Both clubs have underperformed this year but this match tends to bring out the best in one of them.
Who will it be today? Kick off is up next…
