Match Preview for Manchester Metropolis v Manchester United
The headline fixture on the primary weekend of the Premier League following the worldwide break sees the 2 Manchester giants battle it out on the Etihad for each bragging rights and, maybe extra importantly, a much-needed three factors.
Neither aspect has began the brand new marketing campaign notably robust. Metropolis have misplaced two of their opening three top-flight video games, whereas United picked up their first victory final outing courtesy of a last-gasp Bruno Fernandes penalty in opposition to Burnley at Outdated Trafford.
Ruben Amorim’s job seems no much less secure regardless of having a full preseason as Purple Devils boss below his belt. The EFL Cup elimination by the hands of League Two Grimsby – regardless of the Mariners fielding an ineligible participant – makes this conflict with Pep Guardiola’s aspect all of the extra necessary for the Portuguese coach.
In the meantime, Guardiola, shall be seeking to silence a number of critics of his personal following successive defeats to Tottenham and Brighton. The Metropolis boss doubled down on his enjoying philosophy lately, insisting he’ll “by no means’ change his footballing beliefs, however hinted his squad are finding it hard to gel.
Though solely three video games into the brand new league season, it appears there’s a lot using on the most recent Manchester derby.
Staff information for Manchester Metropolis v Manchester United
One other identify was added to Metropolis’s harm listing in midweek when Omar Marmoush was compelled off early in Egypt’s World Cup qualifier in opposition to Burkina Faso with a knee problem.
The harm see him miss the derby alongside summer season signings Rayan Cherki and Rayan Ait-Nouri. Midfielder Mateo Kovavic can also be absent.
Elsewhere, defender John Stones withdrew from England obligation for the latest qualifiers in opposition to Andorra and Serbia, and also will be a doubt for the go to of the rivals in crimson.
Nonetheless, the excellent news for Guardiola is that Erling Haaland, who required stitches following a freak incident involving the door of the workforce bus whereas away with Norway, shall be stuffed with confidence after netting 5 targets for his nation in an 11-1 demolition of Moldova on Tuesday.
It prompted the Metropolis supervisor to specific his admiration for the towering striker in per week when Liverpool boss Arne Slot hailed Alexander Isak as “perhaps the very best striker on the planet”.
Guardiola mentioned: “Isak should be a high participant due to what they paid. One other one would say Mbappe, Messi, Cristiano… I wouldn’t change Erling for anybody. I do know him. I like him.”
In different constructive workforce information for Metropolis, Abdukodir Khusanov, Josko Gvardiol, Savinho, Phil Foden and Marcus Bettinelli are all anticipated to be match and accessible for the conflict on Sunday.
Within the United camp, Amorim, shall be with out each Matheus Cunha and Mason Mount, who have been each compelled off injured within the win over Burnley.
Lisandro Martinez stays sidelined, whereas Diogo Dalot can also be unavailable after withdrawing from the Portugal squad final week with a muscle harm.
Arguably essentially the most intriguing space of workforce information for each groups is between the sticks. With Andre Onana now on mortgage to Turkish aspect Trabzonspor, Amorim will possible persist with Altay Bayindir relatively than flip to new signing Senne Lammens.
In the meantime, Guardiola is confronted with a call between James Trafford and high-profile new addition Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain.
Anticipated line-ups for Manchester Metropolis v Manchester United
Manchester Metropolis: Trafford; Lewis, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol; Rodri, Reijnders, Silva; Bobb, Haaland, Doku
Manchester United: Bayindir; Yoro, De Ligt, Shaw; Amad, Mainoo, Casemiro, Dorgu; Mbeumo, Fernandes; Sesko
Tips on how to watch Manchester Metropolis v Manchester United: TV channel, on-line stream
The sport will kick-off at 16:30pm on Sunday on the Etihad. UK followers can watch the match reside on Sky Sports activities/Now TV. Sky Sports activities subscribers can even catch the competition reside on-line by way of the Sky Go app.
The stats for Manchester Metropolis v Manchester United
- Manchester Metropolis have gained 5 of their final eight Premier League matches in opposition to Manchester United, drawing one and shedding the opposite two.
- Regardless of their dismal league end final time period, Manchester United have been unbeaten in opposition to their rivals within the league for the primary time since 2020/21.
- With 4 victories on the Etihad, United have inflicted 25% of Pep Guardiola’s complete dwelling Premier League defeats as Man Metropolis supervisor.
- Manchester United have had 58 photographs within the Premier League this season, 14 greater than another aspect.
- A defeat for Metropolis would see Guardiola take the second highest variety of Premier League video games (346) to lose 50, behind Sir Alex Ferguson, whose fiftieth defeat didn’t come till his 367th match.
Prediction
Even when nonetheless early within the season, this Manchester derby may have wider-reaching repercussions for each managers. Neither aspect has been vastly spectacular this time period, and the significance of not shedding this one might make for a cagey affair on the Etihad.
Prediction: Manchester Metropolis 1-1 Manchester United
