Match Preview: The Epic Derby Showdown at Old Trafford
As we eagerly anticipate one of the most awaited fixtures of the Premier League season, Manchester United’s Old Trafford will be the battleground for a thrilling encounter with their arch-rivals, Manchester City. The Red Devils, who were on the brink of a significant crisis just a few weeks ago, have managed to steady the ship somewhat with three consecutive victories. While these wins might not have been the most convincing, they have managed to close the gap to just six points behind City in the league table.
Manchester United’s recent hard-fought 2-1 victories over Brentford and Sheffield United, with the international break sandwiched in between, have been pivotal in their resurgence. Furthermore, their UEFA Champions League campaign finally kicked into gear with a dramatic 1-0 victory against Copenhagen.
The recent matches at Old Trafford have provided fans with unforgettable moments. Scott McTominay, in United’s last home league game, came off the bench in the 87th minute to score a match-winning stoppage-time brace against Brentford. This feat was followed up by him opening the scoring against Sheffield United last Saturday. McTominay’s recent form has been impressive, with three goals in his last two Premier League appearances, surpassing his previous tally of two goals in 70 matches. These goals have earned the Red Devils a crucial five points, revitalizing their hopes for a top-four finish.
In the upcoming match, a midfield compitetion could be on the cards with McTominay and Casemiro in the spotlight. Both have played pivotal roles in Manchester United’s recent achievements. Casemiro, who was previously sidelined due to an injury, is now ready to make his return.
Moving further up the field, Bruno Fernandes is determined to etch his name into Manchester United’s history. He has found the back of the net in the last two Manchester derbies during the 2022-23 season, including a crucial penalty in the FA Cup final held at Wembley Stadium in June. The last United player to score in three consecutive matches against City across all competitions was Paul Scholes back in the 2003-04 season.
On the flip side, Marcus Rashford, despite facing challenges this season, retains the potential to leave a mark. He has only registered one Premier League goal in the current campaign, but he remains a crucial figure in United’s attacking lineup.
Manchester City, however, is on a quest to regain their momentum after a brief wobble before the international break. Rodri’s suspension led to back-to-back Premier League defeats against Wolves and Arsenal. Nonetheless, they quickly recovered, with goals from Julian Alvarez and Erling Haaland securing a 2-1 victory over Brighton and marking City’s 21st consecutive home win—a new record for a Premier League club across all competitions.
Erling Haaland, in particular, took center stage as City made their return to European action, ending the longest Champions League goal drought of his career (543 minutes) with a brace as the defending champions won 3-1 against Young Boys. Kyle Walker, who was rested, is expected to return in Akanji’s absence on Sunday. Alongside him, John Stones, Rúben Dias, and Josko Gvardiol are likely to form the core of the champions’ starting lineup.
Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden, who scored his first senior hat-trick when City thrashed United 6-3 at the Etihad Stadium last October, are also expected to make a return to the starting lineup after being benched in the midweek fixture.
However, both teams have some key absentees. United will be without long-term absentees Lisandro Martínez, Luke Shaw, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and Tyrell Malacia. City academy player Jadon Sancho remains exiled by Ten Hag.
Pep Guardiola boasts a strong record in this fixture, with seven victories in his 14 Premier League games against United. He is second only to Arsène Wenger in terms of victories against the Red Devils in the competition. Wenger recorded 12 wins, while Guardiola is the only coach to face United ten or more times and win at least half of those matches.
Manchester United vs. Manchester City Head-to-Head
The last meeting between these two teams occurred in June’s FA Cup final, where İlkay Gündoğan scored twice, helping City to a 2-1 triumph. Gündoğan’s opener, a stunning volley that beat David de Gea after just 12 seconds, set a new record for the fastest goal in FA Cup final history. In their last Premier League meeting, City struck first with Jack Grealish scoring, but United rallied for a 2-1 win, aided by Fernandes’ controversial equalizer. United has a chance to win back-to-back home league games against City for the first time since 2008-09 and 2010-11.
City, however, has a strong record at Old Trafford, having recorded more Premier League victories there (eight) than any other visiting side. Seven of those eight wins have come in their last 12 visits. They have transformed from being the “noisy neighbors” to becoming the dominant force in this rivalry, winning 13 of their 24 Premier League games against United since the start of the 2011-12 season.
Recent Form
While Manchester United’s recent performances have been criticized, they have experienced an upturn in recent weeks. Ten Hag’s team has won their last two Premier League games, having lost four of their previous six. All five of their league wins in 2023-24 have been by a one-goal margin, with four of them coming from goals scored in the final 15 minutes.
On the other hand, the champions have faced difficulties in their recent away matches in the Premier League, losing their last two to Wolves and Arsenal just before the international break. As a result, they have fallen behind Tottenham at the top of the table. The last time they suffered three consecutive away league defeats was in 2020, before and after the COVID-19-enforced shutdown.
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Manchester United vs. Manchester City Prediction
Despite City’s recent struggles on the road, they remain favorites to secure a fourth successive top-flight title. In our season predictions, City is still the overwhelming favorite to clinch a record-breaking fourth successive top-flight title. United, on the other hand, is considered outsiders for Champions League qualification.
In this highly anticipated derby clash, the outcome remains uncertain, but it promises to be a thrilling contest between two Manchester giants. With so much at stake, football fans can look forward to a dramatic showdown at Old Trafford on Sunday. The clash of these titans is not to be missed!
