On Saturday, two of England’s heavyweights will take on each other for the 172nd time as Manchester United play host to their “noisy neighbours” Manchester City.
The Manchester derby is one of the premium fixtures the English top flight has to offer. Every season the game is heavily anticipated by both sets of fans, and this time it has been no different.
Both the Manchester sides have made the best possible start to the season, winning all their matches so far and sitting level on points with Chelsea atop the Premier League table.
Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola will be managing in their first Manchester derby and will also be given a platform to resume their personal vendettas. The City boss does hold the upper hand over his opposite number, but all statistics go down the drain come derby day.
Possible Lineups & Tactics
Manchester United
Jose Mourinho is likely not to tinker with the side that has given him success this season, while also boasting the meanest defence in the league. While new signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic has hogged the limelight for his exploits in front of goal, defender Eric Bailly has also had a stellar beginning to his United career.
Playing as a makeshift right-back for the last few seasons, Antonio Valencia has now nailed his position in the Red Devils side and narrowly missed out on winning the Player of the Month award in August.
Marouane Fellaini is expected to be in the starting lineup despite his back injury sustained at Hull. The Belgian midfielder missed the first game during the international break, but played the second game against Cyprus on Tuesday.
Given Luke Shaw’s fitness concerns, Argentine defender Marcus Rojo could be in line for his first start of the campaign. Shaw’s absence could mean a great deal for Mourinho’s side as Rojo looked far from impressive last season.
Despite their struggles, Anthony Martial and Wayne Rooney are expected to start the game. Marcus Rashford’s impressive performances against Hull City and in midweek for the England under-21s may have given Mourinho a dilemma, and the 19-year-old could be used as a second-half substitute.
Manchester City
Sergio Aguero will be missing the derby as he will serve a three-game suspension after elbowing West Ham defender Winston Reid. Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho is set to replace the Argentine and will lead the line for the Citizens.
In midfield, Ilkay Gundogan and Leroy Sane’s recovery from injury may give Guardiola a few more options to pick from, but he is expected to continue with the the formula that has been working wonders for him.
Raheem Sterling has been outstanding down the right for City while Nolito has been equally impressive on the other flank. Centrally, Kevin de Bruyne and David Silva have been decent in providing chances for the striker, and will have to be in top form if they are to get the win for their side.
New signing John Stones has been impressive since his move from Everton and will start in central defence along with Nicholas Otamendi. Goalkeeper Claudio Bravo recently joined from Barcelona, but may not be fit enough to take his position between the sticks.
Stats
- Manchester United had a 100% record after international breaks last season, the only Premier League team to win all four matches.
- United have won 8 of their last 9 home league matches.
- There have been under 2.5 goals scored in 6 of United‘s last 7 league home games.
- Jose Mourinho has been sacked more times than he has managed to beat Pep Guardiola (W3, D6, L7)
- Manchester City have scored at least 2 goals in 6 of their last 7 league matches.
- City could secure their 50th Manchester derby win in all competitions with a victory on Saturday.
- This is only the second time in league history that both Manchester City and Manchester United have won their opening three games in the same season. It also happened in 2011/12, when City won the league and their rivals finished second.
Watch out for
Wayne Rooney
The Manchester United captain loves the derbies as he has scored a total of eleven goals against the Citizens – the highest by any player. Despite scoring and assisting on a regular basis this season, Rooney has been criticised for breaking down his side’s attacks and slowing down proceedings.
The 30-year-old is on the back of another underwhelming performance with the national side in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers and will be hoping to have his shooting boots on come Saturday.
Also, Rooney will be hoping to eclipse Sir Bobby Charlton to become Manchester United’s all time leading goal scorer. Currently on 246 goals, the England international needs three goals to level the United legend’s tally of 249 goals.
Betting tips
We come to the match of the week. Both teams have secured full points from their first three games and the Mourinho-Pep battle has ensured that the match be billed as one of the greatest derby to have taken place in Manchester.
Betting wise, Aguero’s absence could be the deciding factor in the derby while this is one game where one would like to stay away from the cards market. The cards market is set at Over 5.5 with odds of 1.66 which are heavily overpriced, even for a derby.
The two teams have a combine average of 3 cards per game which needs to be doubled if the bet is to come in, which could be a huge ask. Elsewhere, the game is unlikely to be a 0-0 affair with Pep Guardiola’s teams notoriously known for conceding goals while the Citizens could find it hard to break a United defence with the in-form Bailly at the heart of it as the Red Devils have mustered up 2 clean sheets in their 3 games conceding only 1 goal in the process.
Standard Bets :
1. Manchester United WIn @ 2.37
2. Manchester United Asian Handicap 0.0 @1.60
3. Zlatan to score anytime @2.37
Underdog Bets :
1. Manchester United to win to Nil @ 3.75
2. Rashford to score anytime @ 3.25
3. Over 12 Corners @ 3.10
Prediction
Manchester United 2-1 Manchester City
Aguero’s absence could prove to be damning as Iheanacho may not have what it takes to perform on the big stage this early in his career. Also, with a United defence giving virtually nothing away, it would take something spectacular from Silva and de Bruyne to create chances.
Given Ibrahimovic’s exploits in front of goal, it will be hard to keep the Swedish striker shut. Pogba, too, looks to be getting used to life at the club, and may show up in what could prove to be a key game in the title race.