Manchester United vs Manchester City: Match Preview, Team News, Lineups and Prediction
Manchester United host noisy neighbours Manchester City at Old Trafford as they lock horns again in Manchester derby this Sunday.
Both teams are coming into this game after victories in the Champions League. United were narrowly able to beat Copenhagen 1-0, while last season’s winners handed BSC Young Boys a 3-1 defeat.
Match Preview
Manchester United started the season poorly as they had several injuries in their squad. However, slowly they are getting back on track. Ten Hag’s side were able to beat Sheffield United at the weekend before handing the Danish side a 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford.
They have now strung together a three-game winning sequence for the first time in the 2023/24 campaign. However, none of those victories has been convincing by any stretch.
Manchester City continued the defence of their crown against Young Boys as they won the match 3-1. Furthermore, Erling Haaland scored a brace to end his European goal drought.
Guardiola’s team have managed to win all three games in the Champions League this season despite Haaland’s off form in the competition. Moreover, they also handed Brighton a 2-1 defeat at the weekend.
Despite losing back-to-back games in the Premier League against Wolves and Arsenal, the Citizens sit 2nd in the Premier League table, just two points behind Tottenham Hotspur.
Last season, United won the game 2-1 at Old Trafford, but City got their revenge by beating them in the FA Cup final.
Manchester United team news
Ten Hag still has a handful of long-term absentees unavailable, including Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Amad Diallo and Tyrell Malacia, while Jadon Sancho trains alone.
However, Casemiro and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are expected to return to face Man City. Sofyan Amrabat only lasted 45 minutes in the Champions League, but he is expected to partner Casemiro or Scott McTominay in the derby.
Manchester City team news
Manuel Akanaji will be out for this game as he was sent off against Brighton and will serve his suspension. However, John Stones has recovered and will replace him in the starting XI.
Kevin De Bryune is the only player out for the Citizens. Josko Gvardiol, Kyle Walker, Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden did not start in the midweek fixture, but they are expected to start at the weekend. Argentine striker Julian Alvarez will also get the notch against Manchester United.
Manchester United vs Manchester City: Predicted line-ups
Man United (4-2-3-1): Onana; Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Reguilon; Casemiro, Eriksen; Antony, Fernandes, Rashford; Hojlund
Man City (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Walker, Stones, Dias, Gvardiol; Rodri, Silva; Doku, Alvarez, Foden; Haaland
Prediction
Manchester United 0-3 Manchester City
Despite winning their last three games, Man United are expected to lose this game as they won’t be able to match City’s level. Despite losing some important games, Guardiola’s side are still one of the best sides in the world, and they will make sure to get all three points at Old Trafford.
