Manchester City will face a tricky task when they welcome a resurgent Manchester United at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
A new lease of life will be injected into the Manchester derby as Manchester City are ready to take on a rejuvenated Manchester United which could well emerge as the game on a weekend that has also featured the North London Derby.
Manchester City have dominated the fixture lately, but Manchester United’s recent revival under Erik ten Hag has spiced up things a bit. The Red Devils shrugged off their initial difficulties with four back-to-back wins, including two excellent outings against Liverpool and Arsenal. So the recent monopoly in the derby should finally be challenged by the visitors.
Manchester City thrashed Wolves 3-0 to flex their muscles before this crucial clash, and Erling Haaland’s explosive form will leave them as the favourites. The Norwegian striker already has 11 goals and is way ahead in the Golden Boot race. So the Manchester United defender will have a tough time dealing with Haaland, who will be adamant to add to his already booming tally.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s lack of goals could be a concern for the Manchester United manager, but the Portuguese superstar always identifies the big stage to stamp his authority, and he might have a bigger role to play on Sunday.
Marcus Rashford was adjudged the Player of the Month for September, and with the 2022 FIFA World Cup on the horizon, the English forward will have to do justice to his talent more often. With Jadon Sancho, too, finally breaking his shackles, ten Hag will have a competent squad that is very well capable of inflicting damage on Manchester City’s turf.
The North London Derby could not have come at a perfect time, and Manchester City would be happy to see either of the team dropping points. The defending champions are rubbing their shoulders with Arsenal, who have maintained a stronghold at the top spot. The match should throw some fireworks as a Manchester Derby never ceases to amaze, and this time, too, both the managers will be engaged in a fierce tactical battle.
Team News & Tactics
Manchester City
Man with the plan! ?@PepTeam | @okx pic.twitter.com/EqkVGGJhke
— Manchester City (@ManCity) September 30, 2022
The reigning champions have been handed a setback as John Stones has been ruled out for this game. But Pep Guardiola will finally have his trusted soldier Aymeric Laporte from a long injury battle, although the Spanish international will likely start from the bench.
Kalvin Phillips also will be on the sidelines after undergoing shoulder surgery, but Manchester City are very well stocked in the midfield department.
Ederson Moraes will continue between the sticks, and he will be guarded by the defensive pair of Manuel Akanji and Ruben Dias. Kyle Walker should return to the right-back slot, and Joao Cancelo will be on the left side of the Manchester City defence.
Rodri will act as an extra layer of protection as he will shore up the midfield with his secure display. Bernardo Silva and Kevin De Bruyne will likely have the responsibility to organise attacks and the Manchester United defenders will be on their toes to thwart any kind of attacks.
Phil Foden has been impressive thus far this season and will start on the right flank. Jack Grealish is yet to justify his price tag, but he will have another chance as he will be stationed on the left wing. Finally, Erling Haaland will lead the line for Manchester City against Manchester United.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Ederson; Walker, Akanji, Dias, Cancelo; Silva, Rodri, De Bruyne; Foden, Haaland, Grealish
Manchester United
Harry Maguire is unavailable for this game, while both Axel Tuanzebe and Brandon Williams are long-term absentees. But Erik ten Hag confirmed that Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial have resumed training, and the duo will be in contention for a start.
David de Gea will be in line for another start and will be hoping for a third clean sheet this season. Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane will stand in the last line of defence for Manchester United against Manchester City.
? Primed for his first Manchester derby. #MUFC || #MCIMUN pic.twitter.com/sqR1lmlzWc
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 30, 2022
Diogo Dalot and Tyrell Malacia will continue to strut their stuff from the right and left-back positions, respectively. Up ahead in midfield, Casemiro will likely be given a start alongside Christian Eriksen, who has been terrific since joining Manchester United.
Antony will be gunning for a start from the right flank, while Jadon Sancho will come up from the opposite wing. Bruno Fernandes will drop into the number 10 position, and Marcus Rashford is expected to be the sole striker for Manchester United against Manchester City.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): de Gea; Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Malacia; Casemiro, Eriksen; Antony, Bruno Fernandes, Sancho; Rashford
Key Stats
- Manchester City could win three consecutive league games against Manchester United for the first time since a run of four between April 2013 and November 2014. The Red Devils are in danger of suffering their 18th Premier League loss against City, which would equal their highest number of defeats against a specific opponent (matching their totals against Liverpool and Chelsea).
- Manchester United have managed a staggering 21 wins at the Etihad Stadium; no other Premier League team has done this while playing on an away ground.
- Manchester City are on a seven-game winning run at home in the Premier League and have scored at least three goals in each of the games.
- Pep Guardiola has lost three out of four Premier League games against Manchester United at the Etihad. The Red Devils are the only opponent against whom he has lost more than two top-flight home matches as a manager.
Player to Watch
Erling Haaland
Erling Haaland will be anticipating some tough challenges from the Manchester United defenders as the opposition defenders will take up every possible measure to keep him at bay. The former Borussia Dortmund striker has had some brilliant moments on the pitch, and he will be implementing all the possible resources to continue his brilliant run.
Prediction
Manchester City 2-1 Manchester United
Despite their recent performances, it would take a lot for Erik ten Hag’s men to derail Manchester City off the track. There is a lot of room for improvement for Manchester United, and the home side is the favourite in this encounter. The Hard Tackle predicts a hard-fought contest, with Manchester City coming out on top with a 2-1 win.
