Manchester City vs Manchester United Match Preview: Kick-off Time, Team News, Predicted line-up, TV Channel and Score Prediction
With the pressure mounting on Erik ten Hag, he has the small matter of a Manchester Derby to overcome to salvage Manchester United’s top-four hopes. Manchester United travel to the Etihad in search of their first win in the opposite side of the city since 2021.
Competition: Premier League
Venue: Etihad Stadium
Kick Off: 15:30 UK Time
TV Channel: Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Sports Main Event
How do Manchester United Look?
Embed from Getty ImagesFollowing an impressive run of seven unbeaten games to kick off 2024, United suffered their first defeat of the year in their against Fulham last weekend. The defeat was particularly disheartening given the promising form the Red Devils had been showcasing, and the pursuit of a top-four position.
The Reds did manage to secure a bounce-back victory in the FA Cup against Nottingham Forest. However, it was a less-than-convincing display, and a repeat of the performance will more than likely make any chance of victory at the Etihad unlikely.
With a fully fit squad, United might have been considered underdogs, but their chances are further diminished upon learning about their extensive injury list. The players guaranteed to sit this one out include Mason Mount, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Harry Maguire, Rasmus Hojlund, Tyrell Malacia, and Anthony Martial.
Embed from Getty ImagesHojlund’s absence suggests we are likely to see Rashford lead the line as he has done in the two previous games. With a full back line’s worth of defenders injured, we can expect to see the same defenders that were played against Forest. Kobbie Mainoo started the previous game on the bench, so he should be feeling refreshed and ready to be reintroduced from the start for his derby debut.
Ten Hag has a decision to make out wide after handing Omari Forson a start against Fulham, only to restore Antony to United’s lineup against Forest. Many will believe it’s too soon for Forson to play in this fixture and would rather have Antony in the side for his defensive dependability that he displayed in his last match, constantly tracking back. Of course, it’s worth noting that he scored a fantastic curved goal from outside the box in this very fixture last season.
Predicted line-up
24. Onana
20. Dalot
2. Lindelof
19. Varane
4. Amrabat
18. Casemiro
37. Mainoo
8. Fernandes (C)
21. Antony
10. Rashford
17. Garnacho
Opposition: Manchester City
Embed from Getty ImagesCity head into this match in top form. Their squad is at almost full capacity, as only Jack Grealish, and Josko Gvardiol remain doubts to feature in the derby. They did suffer some injuries, particularly at the start of the season, however they have had timely comebacks, to make it back in time for the ‘business half’ of the season. Their most notable returning players being their star players Erling Haaland, and Kevin De Bruyne, who combined 4 times in their previous match, where the striker bagged 5 goals in total, and the Belgian added 4 assists to his tally. With United facing limited options in defensive areas, city’s formidable pair will look to put in a similar performance to their last, and torment a vulnerable United back line.
The hosts’ unbeaten run across all tournaments has now stretched to 18 matches, and should Man City find the back of the net at least once in Sunday’s derby, they will equal their club record of scoring in an outrageous 55 home games running. This is a feat they previously achieved between January 2012 and January 2014.
Prediction
United have struggled at the Etihad in recent years and are usually forced into a lot of defensive work from the first whistle. United’s poor starts at the Etihad is due to City’s ability to start games fast, as they did last season where they got Dalot booked in the 2nd minute. It would be hard to look past another fast start this time around, where United will be forced to sit on the edge of their box. Rashford will be used as an outlet where he will be asked to chase everything that goes up to him and try to bring other players into the game. On the rare occasions where united do manage to get up the pitch, they will have to be clinical if they want to walk away with any points.
Manchester City 3-0 Manchester United
