Manchester United vs Manchester City Match Preview: Kick-off time, TV Channel, Team News and Score Prediction

Erik ten Hag’s Reds welcome noisy neighbours Manchester City to Old Trafford as they seek revenge for the 6-3 thrashing that happened in the reverse fixture.

Competition: Premier League
Venue: Old Trafford
Kick Off: 12:30 UK Time
TV Channel: BT Sport

How do Manchester United look?

Manchester United have been flying of late. The Red Devils have won their last eight games in all competitions and have only conceded one goal since coming back from the World Cup break. United’s most recent game against Charlton Athletic saw them advance to the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup, where they will face Nottingham Forest, after emerging 3-0 victors.

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Antony opened the scoring with a lovely curling effort after cutting in on his left foot, making it two goals in two appearances for the summer signing. The game dragged on as United went in search of a second and it took until the 90th minute for them to double their lead. Marcus Rashford, who was brought on in the 60th minute, added a second with a cute finish dinked over Ashley Maynard-Brewer. Facundo Pellistri provided the assist after being brought on just five minutes previously for his Manchester United debut. The Uruguayan winger showed some promising signs and could be someone who earns more minutes as the season progresses. Rashford got his name on the scoresheet again in stoppage time, latching onto a ball from Casemiro and firing home with his left foot. The Mancunian now has seven goals in his last six games and is in the best scoring form of his career to date.

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Donny van de Beek is out for the rest of the season with an injury after a tough challenge against Bournemouth saw him substituted before half-time. Jadon Sancho will continue his individual training before being reintegrated back into the squad. Erik ten Hag has confirmed that Diogo Dalot will not be available for the game against Manchester City after coming off against Charlton in the 35^th minute. Anthony Martial is also a doubt for the game. 

Opposition: Manchester City

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Manchester City haven’t lost in the league since the World Cup break and currently sit second, four points ahead of United. City lost their most recent game in a shock 2-0 defeat to Southampton, sending them crashing out of the Carabao Cup. Pep Guardiola rotated his team in that game to give his star players rest before the clash at Old Trafford on Saturday.

The noisy neighbours have numerous players that can hurt any team in the world but their biggest goal-scoring threat will be Erling Haaland. The Norwegian scored a hat-trick against United last time out and is currently the Premier League’s top goal scorer with 21 goals in 16 games. Another threat will be Kevin De Bruyne, the Belgian playmaker tends to show up in these games and his relationship with Haaland will be one United will have to be wary of. De Bruyne has the most assists in the Premier League so far this season with nine and is creating chances at an impressive rate.

Key Stats

Marcus Rashford has now scored in his last eight games at Old Trafford for Manchester United

Manchester City have won four of the last five Manchester Derby’s

Prediction

With both teams in good form, the stage is set for this to be an entertaining game between the two Manchester sides. Manchester will need more from their attack than just Rashford’s form if they want to stand a chance at winning the game. Manchester City will believe they can repeat the thrashing they dished out to United earlier in the season, but The Reds defence has improved significantly from that point.

Manchester United 1-1 Manchester City.