Old Trafford forms the backdrop for Sunday’s box office Premier League showdown as Manchester City and Manchester United lock horns in a mouth-watering Manchester derby.
In their first match since Kevin De Bruyne announced his emotional exit, City visit Old Trafford hoping to reclaim a spot in the top four after Chelsea’s fumble against Brentford.
Pep Guardiola’s side head into the high-profile fixture on a high after swatting aside Leicester City 2-0 on their return from the international break.
The same cannot be said for their next-door neighbours, who fell to their 13th Premier League defeat of the season with a 1-0 loss against Nottingham Forest at City Ground.
Both sides enter this game on either end of the Premier League table.
While Guardiola’s troops look to maintain their momentum, fans will buy Man Utd tickets keen to see how the red side of Manchester would respond in one of football’s fiercest rivalries amidst a difficult season.
Match Preview
De Bruyne is gearing up for one last appearance in the Manchester derby after sending shockwaves throughout the Premier League following his announcement that he’ll be leaving City when his contract expires this summer.
That will bring an end to a decade-long spell at the Etihad Stadium that has seen him establish himself as one of the greatest playmakers to ever grace the Premier League.
This weekend’s derby will mark the final time the Belgian maestro lines up against United in a rivalry that has produced countless memorable moments.
Over the last decade, De Bruyne has dazzled fans with his vision, passing range, and knack for delivering in big games – earning respect from friends and foes alike.
However, he still has work to do before bidding farewell to City.
The Cityzens are still in the thick of the race for Champions League qualification, boosted by a recent win over Ruud van Nistelrooy’s relegation-bound Leicester.
Jack Grealish netted his first Premier League goal of the season, while Omar Marmoush got his fifth, helping the Cityzens to snap a two-game losing streak in the Premier League.
That win briefly pushed City back into the top four, but Chelsea’s narrow win over Tottenham Hotspur later in the week nudged Guardiola’s side back down to fifth.
Fortunately, with England’s strong UEFA coefficient, fifth place could be enough for Champions League football next season.
City have endured a tumultuous campaign, but they still have a shot at silverware, with an FA Cup semi-final clash against Forest at Wembley Stadium.
Despite their recent form at the Etihad Stadium, City have been far from convincing on the road.
They’ve managed just three wins in their last 11 Premier League away games (L6), matching the number of away defeats from their previous 37 matches combined.
Regardless of what’s at stake, it’s always a gargantuan contest when United and City lock horns. This time, all eyes will be on De Bruyne, who’d be looking to make his mark on his final Manchester Derby.
Sticking with the theme of Manchester teams losing away from home, United’s woes on the road continued in midweek as they lost to Forest at City Ground, no thanks to a familiar face.
Ex-United winger Anthony Elanga was Forest’s knight in shining armour as he came back to haunt his former employers with a brilliant solo goal just five minutes into the game.
The 22-year-old’s performance led many United fans to question the club’s transfer decisions, with their current crop struggling to impact games at the top end of the pitch.
While United continue to place their hopes in big-name signings like Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, it was Elanga – a product of their own academy – who showed the cutting edge his former club has been missing.
His quick footwork and composed finish set the tone for Forest, who defended resolutely to secure all three points.
Ruben Amorim’s side lacked the spark and sharpness required to break down a disciplined Forest backline.
That defeat ended a four-game unbeaten streak across all competitions, as well as a similar run in the Premier League.
It also leaves them drifting in the bottom half of the table, but there’s still hope on the European front, with United gearing up for a Europa League quarter-final contest against Olympique Lyon.
If they win the tournament, they will get a backdoor route to the Champions League, although their recent form suggests that might be nothing short of a pipe dream.
In fact, United have failed to keep a clean sheet at home in their last 12 matches – a worrying trend that stretches back to a 4-0 win over Everton in December.
Since then, despite an impressive 2-1 win away against City later that month, their defence has repeatedly let them down.
That derby win remains a highlight in an otherwise inconsistent campaign, but unless Amorim can find answers quickly – especially at the back – the Red Devils risk finishing the season empty-handed.
Key Stats
United are on the cusp of completing a rare Premier League double over City for the first time since 2019/20.
All signs point to another positive result for the Red Devils, who are unbeaten in their last three meetings against their next-door neighbours across all competitions (W2, D1).
That accounts for their best run in the derby since a four-match streak over a decade ago, although United’s wobbly form on home soil will give City cause for cautious optimism.
Amorim’s side have gone eight Premier League home games without a clean sheet – their longest such run since 2021 while shipping in 17 goals in nine league games at Old Trafford.
Amorim’s current average of 1.89 goals conceded per home game is the highest of any permanent United boss in the Premier League era – an area City will be keen to exploit on Sunday.
Another area that would worry Amorim is his side’s home form against top-half teams, picking up just two points from a possible 24 in such fixtures this season.
In that appalling run, they’ve scored five goals and conceded 19.
On the plus side, Amorim has shown he has Guardiola’s number, edging the Spanish manager twice already this season.
He got one while at Sporting CP in the Champions League and again with United in the league.
If he wins again, he’ll become only the third manager to defeat Guardiola three times in a row after Jurgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel.
City do have something going for them, boasting a strong record at Old Trafford, with nine Premier League wins – the most of any visiting side.
However, they’ve lost six of their last 11 away games in the league – a record they’d be keen to correct at the Theatre of Dreams.
Team News
City will be without Erling Braut Haaland, who is out for the remainder of the season. The Scandinavian striker joins Rodri, Nathan Ake, John Stones, and Manuel Akanji on the sidelines.
On United’s side, none of Lisandro Martinez, Amad Diallo, Ayden Heaven, Luke Shaw, Jonny Evans or Matthijs de Ligt will be fit enough to face City this weekend.
Manchester United potential starting line-up:
(3-4-2-1): Andre Onana; Noussair Mazraoui, Harry Maguire, Leny Yoro; Diogo Dalot, Manuel Ugarte, Bruno Fernandes, Patrick Dorgu; Mason Mount, Alejandro Garnacho; Rasmus Hojlund.
Manchester City potential starting line-up:
(4-2-3-1): Ederson; Matheus Nunes, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, Nico O’Reilly; Ilkay Gundogan, Nico Gonzalez; Savinho, Jack Grealish, Jeremy Doku; Omar Marmoush.
