Manchester United take on Manchester City in the 190th competitive Manchester derby this weekend.
Both sides have had indifferent spells of form in recent weeks and a win at Old Trafford would be a big boost for either team.
With both valuable Premier League points and city bragging rights at stake, here is everything you need to know about Sunday’s match.
Man United vs Man City – Premier League Match Preview:
Form
Manchester United: LLWWW
After a strong first season under Erik ten Hag and the summer arrivals of Andre Onana, Rasmus Højlund and Mason Mount, hopes were very high in the United camp ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.
But a shaky start sees the Red Devils languishing in eighth place in the Premier League, with five wins and four losses from the opening nine games.
Elsewhere, United haven’t made a strong start in other competitions, as despite progressing to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup, which takes place next week, they lost their first two Champions League matches.
United were also left mourning the tragic loss of the late great Bobby Charlton last week.
But the squad has shown its character, claiming three successive late wins over Brentford, Sheffield United and Copenhagen.
Both Harry Maguire and Andre Onana have been under pressure and criticized heavily so far this season.
Maguire's goal gave Man United the lead in a must-win UCL game, and Onana's stoppage time penalty save secured the result.
You can't write a script like that ❤️ pic.twitter.com/YXLzT8okmW
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) October 24, 2023
The clash with the Danish side gave Old Trafford the opportunity to pay tribute to one of the theatre’s all-time greats.
A late Harry Maguire goal and Onana penalty save saw an outpour of raw emotion, that will surely provide Ten Hag’s side with plenty of momentum ahead of this weekend’s derby.
Manchester City: LWLWW
Similarly, things haven’t gone exactly how the European champions would’ve wanted this season.
Six wins from six to start the term were followed up by a three-match winless run in domestic competitions, coinciding with the suspension of star midfielder Rodri.
The Spaniard returned last week to help the Blues past Brighton; his relationship with John Stones in the middle of the park brought a drastic improvement to the team’s performance.
A convincing 3-1 win away in Switzerland over Young Boys in midweek, which saw Erling Haaland score twice and Manuel Akanji get on the scoresheet in his native land, sees Pep Guardiola’s side starting to pick up some rhythm with a busy winter period on the horizon.
Akanji will play no part in this derby, however, after he was sent off last weekend.
City will be looking to assert dominance over their cross-town rivals with a win here, particularly motivated by last season’s trip to Old Trafford which resulted in a controversial United win.
Last Meeting
Manchester City 2-1 Manchester United, June 3rd 2023
The most recent Manchester derby was a rather notable occasion – the first ever Manchester derby cup final.
Further history was made when Ilkay Gundogan rifled the ball past David de Gea after 12 seconds – the quickest goal in FA Cup final history.
But United had their own history to save; a win for City would set them on their way to an historic treble, becoming only the second English side to complete such an achievement, after the Red Devils did so in 1999.
Bruno Fernandes equalised from the penalty spot after a Jack Grealish handball before half-time.
But another strike from the Blues’ skipper Gundogan early in the second half ensured Pep Guardiola’s side completed a domestic double at least. The treble was then secured with a win over Inter Milan in Istanbul.
Predicted Lineups
Manchester United: Onana; Dalot, Maguire, Varane, Lindelöf; McTominay, Amrabat, Antony Fernandes, Rashford; Højlund
Manchester City: Ederson; Walker, Dias, Stones, Gvardiol; Rodri, Bernardo, Foden; Grealish, Alvarez, Haaland
Who is the referee?
Paul Tierney.
Is the Manchester derby on TV?
UK and Ireland: Sky Sports
USA: Peacock
What time is kick-off?
Sunday, 29 October, 15:30 GMT
Odds
Manchester United – 4/1
Draw – 14/5
Manchester City – 2/3
