Harry Diamond
Manchester rivalries are renewed this weekend as Premier League champions City take the short trip to Old Trafford to face United, buoyed by winning a third successive Carabao Cup at Wembley last weekend.
Here is all you need to know about Sunday’s huge clash:
Form
Man United: DWWDL
Manchester United remain firmly in the hunt for a top-four finish despite an indifferent run of results, though there is a growing positivity surrounding the club following the impact of January signing Bruno Fernandes.
The Portuguese international scored during the draw at Everton last weekend to take his tally to three goals and two assists in six appearances, with the capture from Sporting Lisbon having made an immediate impact at Old Trafford.
Heavy favourites ahead of a Europa League last-16 tie against LASK and still in the FA Cup following their 3-0 win over Derby, Solskjaer still has the opportunity to make it a successful first full season in charge following a difficult start.
Securing Champions League football remains the priority ahead of this weekend’s derby clash, against a City side who have won four of their past visits to Old Trafford in all competitions.
Man City: WWLWD
Manchester City‘s defence of the Premier League title is all but over despite Liverpool‘s slip last weekend, with the club’s concentration now firmly on adding the FA Cup and Champions League to the Carabao Cup trophy won at Wembley last weekend.
That said, Pep Guardiola’s side will be in no mood to hand the local bragging rights to their city rivals, especially given their loss in the reverse fixture at the Etihad earlier this season.
City have lost just once in their past eight Premier League fixtures, whilst the club have won their past five consecutively in all competitions. Kevin De Bruyne is a doubt for the trip to Old Trafford, however, having suffered a back injury late in the win over Aston Villa last weekend.
Last meeting
Man City 0-1 Man United, 29th January 2020 (League Cup semi-final second leg)
Aside from their league meeting, the Manchester rivals have also met twice in this season’s Carabao Cup, City running out rampant 3-1 winners in the first leg of their semi-final clash at Old Trafford.
United travelled to the Etihad in the second leg of the last four meeting, Nemanja Matic scoring the only goal of the game as United won on the night before exiting the competition on aggregate, the Serbian midfielder later sent off as City secured their progress to Wembley.
The win was United’s second at the Etihad this season, goals from Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial sealing a 2-1 Premier League success in December.
Predicted Line ups
Man United: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw, Williams; McTominay, Fred, Fernandes; Greenwood, Martial
Man City: Ederson; Walker, Otamendi, Fernandinho, Mendy; Rodri, Gundogan, Bernardo; Sterling, Mahrez, Aguero.
Who is the referee?
Mike Dean.
How can I watch Man United v Man City?
UK and Irish readers can watch the game on Sky Sports Main Event, whilst US fans can view the fixture on NBC.
What time is kick off?
16:30 GMT.
Odds
Man United – 17/4
Draw – 10/3
Man City – 3/5
Read – Guardiola expecting ‘aggressive’ United to attack City in Manchester Derby
Check out our latest Podcast – 90’s Football Hall of Fame: Man City cult hero Georgi Kinkladze