Manchester Derby: City aiming for perfection against United struggling for results
by Chadley Nagel · KickOffThe unbeaten Manchester City visit Old Trafford to face their city rivals on Sunday in another round of the classic derby. KickOff looks ahead to this Premier League clash at Manchester United’s Theatre of Dreams.
Recent Form
Heading into the 199th Manchester Derby on 13 September (Sunday), City and United have been polar opposites in terms of results and form.
After being thumped 0-3 by Arsenal in the FA Community Shield in August, Enzo Maresca’s charges bounced back flawlessly in the Premier League.
Unbeaten after three games, City’s perfect run saw them defeat Bournemouth 2-1, hammer Crystal Palace 4-1, and slip past Coventry City 1-0.
By comparison, Michael Carrick’s team has struggled to find a vein of form.
Their campaign stumbled as it began with an upset 0-2 loss to newly-promoted Hull City, before righting the ship with a 5-2 win over Ipswich Town.
United were then held to a 2-2 draw at Everton, which has left them in 11th place on the Premier League table heading into the derby clash at home.
Citizens Clear Favourites
Man City, despite being the visitors, visit the Theatre of Dreams as the clear form side and the overwhelming market favourites.
Maresca’s side has scored seven times and conceded just twice, with Erling Haaland showing the same edge as his new short hairstyle.
United, meanwhile, may be relying on recent results at Old Trafford, having silenced City 2-0 during their last EPL clash in January.
Looking at stats for the Premier League era, the Red Devils also have more wins than the Citizens in the Manchester Derby.
Crucial battles up front and in midfield
United will head into the match well aware of how dangerous City is in front of goal.
Haaland, who recently reached 300 senior career goals, is joint top scorer in the league, while Rayan Cherki has contributed 2 goals and 2 assists so far.
Despite rebuilding under a new coach after the departure of Pep Guardiola, and with multiple new signings in the mix this season, City has remained intimidating.
United will need to be defensively flawless, and the central midfield battle could also be where the game is won or lost.
City strengthened this area with the signing of Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea, while Maresca has continued to rely on a 4-1-4-1 formation to retain control.
The Red Devils, meanwhile, would look to Kobbie Mainoo and Youri Tielemans to shield a back line that appears vulnerable.
United will need to disrupt City’s tempo and prevent having the visitors control the pace, or risk finding themselves at their mercy.
Team News
Manchester United remain without Amad Diallo for the derby clash, after an injury in training, while new signing Carlos Baleba is also still on the sidelines.
While Marcus Rashford was withdrawn against Everton due to discomfort, the issue does not appear serious.
Meanwhile, Benjamin Sesko’s goal coming off the bench could see Carrick recalling him to the starting team.
Likely United XI (4-2-3-1): Lammens; Shaw, Martinez, Maguire, Dalot; Mainoo, Tielemans;
Rashford, Fernandes, Mbeumo; Sesko
Meanwhile, Manchester City have a full range of players to draft into the matchday squad.
Likely City XI (4-1-4-1): Donnarumma; Gvardiol, Guehi, Dias, Khusanov; Anderson; Semenyo, Fernandez, Cherki, Foden; Haaland
Could United be City's biggest threat?
On paper, this does not seem to be the case.
However, despite United’s uneven form, they could possibly pose a major challenge for their noisy neighbours.
Old Trafford has been tricky for City to navigate in recent years, and the home team have a master playmaker in Bruno Fernandes.
The threat of Sesko and the unpredictable nature of derby clashes could hint at the game being closer than table positions may suggest.
Who takes it on Sunday?
Manchester City will be confident heading into the tie, being one of two unbeaten teams at this point (the other being Arsenal).
Under Maresca, the Citizens have been in prime form and would be favoured to make it four wins from four this weekend.
However, United’s recent record in derby clashes at Old Trafford could give City pause, making the result more than foregone.
Expect a tight, tense affair at the Theatre of Dreams, with Man City’s firepower eventually sealing maximum points.