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Match Preview: Manchester United vs Manchester City

Manchester united vs Man city

Manchester United vs Manchester City | Premier League | Old Trafford | KO: 17:30 GMT | Sky Sports

Manchester United are out of the UEFA Champions League and have dropped into the Europa League, following a 3-2 defeat at the hands of RB Leipzig in midweek.

Their focus must now shift to the Premier League, with the Manchester derby being the perfect opportunity for United to bounce back and beat rivals City, and go four points clear of the blues.

United’s performances at Old Trafford this season have not been great, and they must find some form at home, come 5:30 on Saturday night if they are to beat Pep Guardiola’s side.

How Do Manchester United Look?

Against Leipzig in the week, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looked out of ideas when it came to substitutions.

United’s injury woes meant that Axel Tuanzebe and Timothy Fosu-Mensah were the only viable options to come off the bench in the closing minutes, and the pair were never likely to make a difference when The Reds were chasing the game.

Anthony Martial missed the match on Tuesday with an injury, but Solskjaer confirmed that he will be involved against Manchester City at the weekend.

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“Anthony will definitely be involved” said the boss, who cast doubts on whether Uruguayan Edinson Cavani will be fit enough to make it into the matchday squad.

“Edinson has been on the grass today, but I’m not sure he’ll make it” explained Solskjaer.

Luke Shaw returned from injury against RB Leipzig, playing at centre back in a back five formation, a position that he has been utilised in many times under Solskjaer, and could be expected to play a similar role against City, should the same formation be played again.

Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford were on the bench in United’s last Premier League match, but will undoubtedly start this weekend.

Opposition: Man City

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Pep Guardiola’s side sit seventh in the Premier League, after a start-stop campaign in terms of consistency this season.

Somewhat surprisingly, it is in attack that Manchester City are struggling most this season.

They have scored just seventeen goals, the least out of any side in the top nine of the league.

This can, largely, be attributed to the absence of Sergio Aguero, who has missed much of the season due to injury. For years, the Argentine has been the go-to player for goals for City, but his age, and injury record, is slowly making him lose his consistency and reliability.

Gabriel Jesus is City’s only other senior striker, but is yet to reach the heights expected of him at The Etihad.

Aguero is not fit to start the match, according to Guardiola, but there are no other absentees expected for City in the derby.

Key Stats

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This fixture last season was the last to be held at Old Trafford in front of fans, with United winning it 2-0.

Bruno Fernandes has won the Premier League player of the month award for the third time since signing for United. He becomes only the third player in Premier League history to win it three times in a single calendar year.

Prediction

Manchester United 2-1 Manchester City. A brace from Bruno Fernandes.

Match Preview Writer

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