The Etihad Stadium hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for Manchester United in recent times. Indeed, the Red Devils haven’t won at the home of Manchester City since March 2021.
By Graham Ruthven
Sunday’s match, however, presents United with an opportunity to end their winless away run in the derby with City in bad shape.
Pep Guardiola is currently enduring his worst run of form as Manchester City manager. The Premier League champions have lost seven of their last 10 games in all competitions, winning just one. Incredibly, City have conceded more goals since the start of November than any other team in Europe’s Big Five leagues.
Manchester United have also endured their own struggles of late as Rúben Amorim instills his ideas on a team that lacked an identity under Erik ten Hag. However, Thursday’s comeback win over Viktoria Plzeň in the Europa League hinted at a group of players that is starting to fight under their new manager.
Sunday’s Manchester Derby will be one between two teams that have lost their way of late, placing additional significance on the outcome. A win for either side could be the catalyst for them to start a more positive run of form over the winter period.
Key players
Ordinarily, Erling Haaland would be pinpointed as Manchester City’s primary threat such is his standing as the best goalscorer of his generation. However, the Norwegian has scored just once in his last four league appearances and has cut an isolated figure as the English champions have struggled for positive results.
Kevin de Bruyne has started City’s last three matches and has been an important source of creativity in recent weeks. Jack Grealish could also play in central midfield as he did against Juventus.
At the back, Rúben Dias is expected to start in central defence. City need the Portugal international to steady a backline that has been extremely fragile over the last two months.
Manchester United will look to Bruno Fernandes as their creator-in-chief with Ramus Højlund entering Sunday’s match in the midst of a scoring run that has seen the Dane find the back of the net five times in his last four games.
Leny Yoro could start after making his first Premier League appearance in the defeat to Nottingham Forest with Amad Diallo likely to feature in the right wing back position having impressed in Amorim’s first few matches in charge.
Team news
Rodri remains sidelined with the Euro 2024 winner’s absence in the centre of the pitch still being keenly felt by Manchester City. They have nobody else who can do the job of the 28-year-old.
John Stones, Nathan Aké, Mateo Kovačić and Oscar Bobb are also expected to miss Sunday’s Manchester Derby with Phil Foden also a doubt after watching Wednesday’s defeat to Juventus as an unused substitute.
Rico Lewis will serve a one-match suspension after being sent off in last weekend’s 2-2 draw away to Crystal Palace, leaving Guardiola short of another option who can operate in defence and midfield.
Jonny Evans, Luke Shaw and Victor Lindelof will all miss Sunday’s trip to the Etihad Stadium for Manchester United, but Amorim will otherwise have a fully fit squad to choose from.
Prediction
With both defences somewhat depleted or adapting to new circumstances, we’re expecting goals at both ends. So let’s go with a high scoring draw; Manchester City 2-2 Manchester United.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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