A bottom-half battle? Not what would be expected when these two meet, but there is serious scope for improvement for both Manchester clubs meaning it’s pressure on, even at this stage of the season.
By Karl Matchett
Goalkeepers the talk of the town
Technically Man United headed into the weekend in ninth – not that they will be celebrating it – but they were certainly mired in the bottom half last season. Man City sat in unfamiliar territory in 13th across the international break, and even if places mean nothing so early on, two defeats in three games certainly does for a team with title aspirations (for what it’s worth – they start today 11th and 16th respectively). Given their ongoing away day form, it might be more accurate to describe Pep Guardiola’s team as having title pretentions, for now at least.
But back at the Etihad for this fixture, three points will be the only requirement. The manager has one big question mark to answer even before the game kicks off though: who plays in goal?
Will it be the new £27m signing, or the new £26m one? Young Trafford to face United, or a Champions League winner debuting in the derby? Englishman James Trafford hasn’t done too much wrong, one error aside, but if it’s hard to imagine he’d have signed knowing he’d be second choice, it’s far more difficult to imagine Italy’s long-term No. 1 to leave PSG for a bench spot in Manchester. Gigi Donnarumma has the reputation and the mentality to go straight in – but as André Onana’s plight has shown, even Champions League finalists aren’t immune to struggling if they start poorly in goal. As for United, Onana himself has gone but Altay Bayındır will still be between the sticks, Senne Lammens billed as one for the future rather than an immediate replacement.
A difference of magnitude
Goalkeepers are only half the story of course – at the other end of the pitch, big-name strikers have expectations on them. Erling Haaland warmed up for this by plundering five (and a rare FotMob 10 rating!) against Moldova. Benjamin Šeško continued his unwanted run of clean sheets by not scoring twice for Slovenia across the international break. It remains to be seen if he’s called on from the start by Ruben Amorim but he could definitely do with scoring his first of the season if fears of another Zirkzee/Højlund/Weghorst/Ighalo are to be quelled. While that quartet were signed at different values for different reasons, they hit 35 goals between them. In 160 games.
Recent form
Only three games in but City have won one, lost two; United have a win, a draw and a defeat – and lost to Grimsby in the Carabao Cup.
Team news
Omar Marmoush and Rayan Cherki are out, with Phil Foden a doubt for City. Joško Gvardiol and Savinho need checks too. United are missing Joshua Zirkzee, Diogo Dalot, Mason Mount and Matheus Cunha.
Key player
Oscar Bobb has made a promising start, averaging nearly 2.5 successful dribbles and more than six touches in the box per 90 this term. If his end product improves he could be a great joker in the pack – and United’s defence loves leaving space for runners in the channel.
Prediction
We’re going for a home win and with some ease: Man City 2-0 Man United.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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