Manchester United will host Manchester City at Old Trafford on Sunday for a Manchester derby in the Premier League, with kickoff slated for 15:30 GMT.
Key Highlights
Manchester United’s Resurgence of Form
Manchester United have won their last two matches, the 2-1 home win against Brentford and the 1-2 triumph away to Sheffield, which indicate a resurgence of the Erik Ten Hag-led team.
United also won their first Champions League match this season in mid-week by overcoming Copenhagen 1-0 at Old Trafford.
They will look to extend their new-found good form in the derby against Manchester City.
Manchester City Bouncing Back from the Pair of Consecutive Losses in the Premier League
The two Premier League losses to Wolves away (2-1) and away to Arsenal (1-0) showed a rough patch for Pep Guardiola’s side.
However, they have since bounced back with a win at home to Brighton (2-1) and a win in the Champions League against Young Boys (1-3) ahead of the derby.
These results show that Guardiola’s charges have regained their composure and will be a different prospect to Manchester United on Sunday.
Bet hereInjury Report
Manchester United
Left winger Jadon Sancho will continue his enforced absence from the first team ahead of the derby on Sunday.
Erik Ten Hag will also have to contend with a few injuries, including center-back Lisandro Martinez (foot injury) and right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka (hamstring). Martinez has been out of the first team frame since September 16th, while Bissaka has been out since September 16th, with the two missing 7 and 9 matches respectively.
Left-back Luke Shaw will continue his rehabilitation from a muscle injury he suffered on August 23rd. The England international has missed 11 matches for Manchester United. Shaw, 28, will be unavailable to Ten Hag on Sunday.
Manchester United will also be without the services of central midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, with the 18-year-old youngster nursing an ankle injury since July 27th, which has kept him out of the matchday squad for the last 13 matches.
Right winger Amad Diallo and left-back Tyrell Malacia are also major doubts for the Manchester derby on Sunday. The 24-year-old Malacia is sidelined with an unknown injury, whereas the 21-year-old Diallo is nursing a knee injury.
Manchester City
Pep Guardiola will have to do without his brilliant Belgian playmaker, Kevin De Bruyne who has been dealing with a long-term injury issue since August 12th. The 32-year-old attacking midfielder has been out of the Manchester City squad in their last 15 outings, highlighting the extent of his partial muscle tear on August 12th.
Goalkeeper Zack Steffen is sidelined with a knee injury and had to undergo surgery to correct the problems the injury caused. No timeframe has been given for the shot-stopper’s fitness; however, he has missed the last 19 matches for Manchester City and will miss Sunday’s Manchester derby.
Possible Lineups
Manchester United
A. Onana; D. Dalot, R. Varane, H. Maguire, Reguilon; S. Amrabat, S. McTominay; Antony, B. Fernandes, M. Rashford, R. Hojlund
Manchester City
Ederson; K. Walker, N. Ake, J. Gvardiol; J. Stones, Rodri; P. Foden, J. Alvarez, B. Silva, J. Doku; E. Haaland
Prediction
Manchester United will look to be proactive in the clash against Man City. Playing at home, they will have the onus of playing on the front foot, creating chances, and posing questions on the Man City defensive line.
However, United will set up with a robust and pressing defensive shape, to deal with City’s transition attacks.
Manchester City will also set up to be proactive and front foot in their approach. They will look to patiently build from the back, retain and recycle the ball, and control the match’s tempo.
Pressing and counter-pressing will be essential for Man City to contain United’s transition attacks when they lose the ball.
Manchester City will have enough to win the derby and take all three points.
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