In the Manchester derby, which will take place at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, Manchester City and Manchester United will square off against one another.
Team Form
Manchester City
Erling Braut Haaland, who has an incredible 11 goals for the Premier League season, added a second goal in a convincing 3-0 victory over Wolves after Jack Grealish had given his team the lead 55 seconds earlier.
With that 3-0 victory, Pep Guardiola’s team briefly regained the lead in the standings. However, Arsenal’s subsequent win over Brentford by the same score put the champions in second place, one point behind the North London club.
Man City are the Premier League’s top goal scorers at home this season with 14 goals in just three games while giving up a joint-low two. Additionally, at least three goals have been scored in their past seven home victories in the top division.
Man City PL Form: W D W W D W
Manchester United
Erik ten Hag was named the Premier League’s Manager of the Month for September after leading his team to fifth place in the standings, five points behind Man City with a game remaining.
During his time in charge, Old Trafford’s fortunes underwent a dramatic turnaround, with four straight victories in the top flight.
The Red Devils will play in their first Premier League match in nearly a month this weekend due to the passing of Queen Elizabeth II and her state funeral. Since their 3-1 victory over Arsenal, they have lost to Real Sociedad and defeated Sheriff Tiraspol in the Europa League.
Man United PL Form: L L W W W W
The Manchester derby never disappoints ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/Vs7cxUzISy
— 433 (@433) September 30, 2022
Squad Report
Man City
Aymeric Laporte’s long-awaited return from a knee injury for the Manchester derby will give Man City a lift. And the centre-back return will be time after John Stones left the England match against Germany with a tight hamstring.
Due to shoulder surgery, Guardiola will be without Kalvin Phillips for a few weeks.
In the absence of Stones, Guardiola has covered at right-back thanks to Kyle Walker’s return to fitness.
Man United
Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford, recovering from injuries at Old Trafford, have been practising with the team this week and might play in the Manchester derby.
Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez were always anticipated to pair up at the back. Harry Maguire is not available due to a tight hamstring.
Martin Dubravka, Donny van de Beek, Brandon Williams and Aaron Wan-Bissaka represent another wealth of injury concerns for Man United.
🔴 Primed for his first Manchester derby. #MUFC || #MCIMUN pic.twitter.com/sqR1lmlzWc
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 30, 2022
Manchester City’s possible starting lineup:
Ederson; Walker, Akanji, Dias, Cancelo; Silva, Rodri, De Bruyne; Foden, Haaland, Grealish
Manchester United’s possible starting lineup:
De Gea; Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Malacia; McTominay, Eriksen; Antony, Fernandes, Sancho; Rashford
Head to Head
In the 187 games played between the two teams, Manchester United has a strong record versus Manchester City, winning 77 times to the Citizens’ 57.
For the first time since a run of four victories in 2014, Manchester City is attempting to defeat Manchester United in three straight games.
Meetings between Manchester City and Manchester United in the Premier League have seen the away team prevail 21 times, the most of any matchup in the competition’s history.
Time, Date & Venue
Date: 02 October 2022
Time: 2:00 pm, BST
Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester
Prediction
Even if their recent comeback has been remarkable, Man United’s goals against Arsenal were granted to them by a porous Arsenal defence. Ten Hag has some doubts about his forward line’s fitness and form.
We can only imagine the champions winning Sunday’s derby because the Red Devils are still getting used to Ten Hag and are about to face a severe test of their mettle against a Man City team that almost always finds the net at the Etihad.
