Home of football statistics and historyOne of the most highly anticipated fixtures in the Premier League calendar takes place at the Etihad Stadium as Manchester City face Manchester United on Sunday.
Despite United’s epic downfall after Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure in 2013, they still hold the edge in all-time Premier League meetings against Man City.
Last season’s 2-1 win on this ground marked Man Utd’s 26th league win over the Cityzens in the Premier League era, compared to City’s 20, most recent of which came in December 2024.
However, Bet365 favour the home team to put three precious points on the board, giving them 4/6 to end a two-game winless league run against the Red Devils. You can click here to avail their latest betting signup bonus offer.
Pep Guardiola failed to beat Ruben Amorim in both league encounters last term, and he will have an added motive to inspire Man City to a much-needed win here.
Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show, Wayne Rooney delivered a grim forecast for the Spaniard’s future at the Etihad, predicting that City will part ways with him next summer.
This match could be a perfect opportunity for the trophy-laden manager to prove the Man Utd legend wrong and get his downtrodden side back on track.
Something’s rotten in the state of Manchester
Man City opened the season in remarkable fashion, sweeping Wolverhampton Wanderers aside in a dominant 4-0 victory at Molineux Stadium.
In addition to Tijjani Reijnders’ goal on his Premier League debut, Erling Braut Haaland notched up a brace, announcing his candidacy for the Golden Boot this season.
Little did anyone know the Cityzens would lose back-to-back matches after their emphatic performance in the West Midlands, including a gut-wrenching 2-1 defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion last time out.
Equally upsetting was a 2-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur in their first home game of the season, especially when factoring in the number of chances Guardiola’s team failed to convert in that match.
Guardiola was visibly disgruntled at the Amex Stadium as Brighton put his team at risk of losing three consecutive league games for the first time since November last year.
Glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel
Amorim’s fate seemed all but sealed in the final moments of Man Utd’s home match against newly promoted Burnley before the international break.
However, Bruno Fernandes’ last-gasp penalty inspired the Red Devils to a 3-2 win, offering the former Sporting CP manager a lifeline amid talks United could soon relieve him of his duties.
Though they left it late to beat the Clarets at Old Trafford, it was still a decent response to an embarrassing League Cup elimination at the hands of fourth-tier side Grimsby Town.
Saturday’s clash could determine Amorim’s standing at the club as ex-Premier League star William Gallas claimed he expects him to be sacked by Christmas (via The Mirror).
Perhaps a win in the derby could be what the doctor ordered for the 40-year-old, who boasts an impressive record against Guardiola, suffering defeat in only one of their five prior encounters.
Team News
Man City faced Brighton without several key players, including Josko Gvardiol, Mateo Kovacic, Phil Foden and Savinho.
With all four players ruled out of international duty, they will probably also sit out the clash against Man Utd.
Star goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma could make his first appearance for the club after arriving from Paris Saint-Germain in the transfer window finale.
As for the Red Devils, Lisandro Martinez was the only notable absentee against Burnley, and he will be the only missing player in the visiting squad.
Matheus Cunha had to come off midway through the second half, but the Brazilian could be ready for this mouth-watering showdown.
New addition Senne Lammens could make his Premier League debut after joining the club from Royal Antwerp on deadline day for a reported fee of £18.1 million.
Manchester City vs Manchester United potential starting line-ups
Man City (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Stones, Air-Nouri; Reijnders, Silva, Rodri; Marmoush, Doku, Haaland.
Man Utd (3-4-2-1): Lammens; Yoro, De Ligt, Maguire; Dalot, Fernandes, Casemiro, Diallo; Cunha, Mbeumo; Sesko.
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