Manchester United vs Manchester City
English Premier League
Date: 14 January 2023, Saturday
Kick-off at 12:30 UK / 13:30 CET
Venue: Old Trafford (Manchester).
In a highly anticipated Manchester derby on Saturday, Manchester United will play host to archrivals Manchester City.
When Manchester City visits Old Trafford, Manchester United will attempt to stake their claim in the Premier League title fight.
The Red Devils have won their last eight games in a row, most recently defeating Charlton Athletic in the Carabao Cup.
However, Manchester City was eliminated from the competition after losing to Southampton 2-0.
During their terrifying 6-3 defeat to Manchester City earlier this season, Manchester United did highlight some positives.
However, they are in much better shape now than they were in the beginning of the campaign.
Erik ten Hag’s influence has been so great that of all United managers, including Sir Alex Ferguson, he has needed the fewest games to win 20 games.
The Red Devils have now lost just once in their previous 18 games in all competitions, putting things into perspective.
Therefore, on Saturday, Manchester City will undoubtedly face a new kind of threat from Manchester United.
And it will be up to the home team to keep up their momentum.
However, things have not gone well for Manchester City, who encountered yet another hiccup in their most recent game against Southampton.
Throughout the whole game, the defending English champions failed to make a single shot on goal.
And Pep Guardiola has already admitted that if they play like that against the Red Devils, they have no chance.
Manchester City’s goalless draw with relegation-threatened Everton cost them ground in the Premier League title chase.
Their recent success does not provide them an advantage over Premier League opponents.
In advance of the most recent meeting between the two sides, The dilta takes a closer look at the clash.
Manchester United vs Manchester City Head to head :
- Manchester United will be additionally motivated to get revenge for the painful 6-2 defeat they suffered in early-October at Etihad Stadium. It was a match in which Erling Haaland bagged a hat-trick of goals and delivered two assists on top.
- The Citizens will go into this on the back of four wins in the previous five Manchester derbies.
- We have seen as many as 14 goals in the last two H2H clashes between these bitter city rivals.
Manchester United vs Manchester City Prediction :
Given the quantity of shrewd players on both sides, this might be a high-scoring contest. The excellent standards of Manchester City have slipped a bit over the past several games. But in such a frenetic match, there might be some high-flying goals.
The Red Devils, on the other side, are prospering under Erik ten Hag.
Manchester United has the ability to hurt Manchester City, even though the Dutchman will be cautious before the big game.
However, there might not be much separating the two sides in the end.
The dilta believes the match will end in a 2-2 tie.
Manchester United vs Manchester City Team News :
Diogo Dalot of Man United is “not available” for Saturday’s derby due to a hamstring issue, according to Ten Hag, and Donny van de Beek has been out for the remainder of the season with a major knee injury. Additionally injured is Axel Tuanzebe.
The Red Devils are able to welcome back Bruno Fernandes, who missed the win against Charlton due to suspension, and the playmaker is anticipated to join Casemiro and Christian Eriksen in midfield. Jadon Sancho is not expected to participate as he continues his personal training program.
Alejandro Garnacho, Harry Maguire, and Tyrell Malacia are all expected to move to the bench as Rashford, who has scored in each of United’s six games since the World Cup break, Raphael Varane, who was rested in midweek, and Luke Shaw are all likely to be recalled to the starting lineup.
Wout Weghorst, a striker for Burnley, was loaned to United on Friday night, but he won’t play on Saturday; Anthony Martial is therefore anticipated to start in attack as long as he passes a late fitness test.
Cole Palmer and Kalvin Phillips are expected to be dropped from the starting lineup, while Kevin De Bruyne, Rodri, and Haaland are anticipated to return to the center of the front line.
With 21 goals, Haaland leads all scorers in the top five leagues in Europe.
Riyad Mahrez has scored nine goals while serving as a substitute for Guardiola, the most of any substitute in the Spaniard’s managerial career in the top flight.
However, the in-form Algerian could be recalled to the starting lineup on Saturday after being given a rest in midweek, with either Foden, Jack Grealish, or Julian Alvarez completing the front three.
ront three.
Manchester United possible starting lineup:
De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Eriksen; Antony, Fernandes, Rashford; Martial
Manchester City possible starting lineup:
Ederson; Walker, Akanji, Laporte, Ake; De Bruyne, Rodri, Bernardo; Mahrez, Haaland, Grealish
