Manchester City v Manchester United Premier League Preview

It doesn’t get bigger than this as City, United, Jose and Pep resume rivalries at the Etihad Stadium in a mouth watering EPL week 12 fixture on Sunday afternoon in the 177th Manchester Derby (Kick off is 16:30 GMT and will be shown live on Sky Sports). While Jose Mourinho’s position as Manchester United came under scrutiny earlier in the season, his team has dug deep to win 4 of their last 6 games in all competitions and to arrive 4 points behind the top 4 places. United are coming into this fixture full of confidence after a 2-1 comeback win over Italian champions Juventus in the SanSiro during the week. City are facing damaging allegations about serious financial improprieties emanating from the recent Football Leaks via German Magazine Die Spiegel. Guardiola will hope the allegations and the United unlikely victory in Turin do not change the dynamic of Sunday’s Derby.

Even though Liverpool and Chelsea are the other two teams apart from City yet to drop 3 points in a league game this season, you get the feeling those teams are just hanging on to City’s coat tails as Pep’s team appear to be on another level to everyone else and could yet surpass the achievements of last season. City have won 9 of the 11 league games only drawing against Wolves and Liverpool. Much more than the results, their style has been more enthralling and arguably effective than last season’s as they have won 10 of the last 11 in all competitions while scoring 35 goals and conceding just two in that period. In all 17 games played this season across all competitions, City have scored 3 or more goals in a game on 8 occasions.

City are well aware of their record against United having won just 2 of their last 8 games against the Red Devils since they won four in a row between 2013 and 2014. City went 2 goals ahead the last time out in April at the Etihad before United staged a comeback to win 3-2. Pep has never lost consecutive home games against a single opponent in his managerial career, a record he will be keen to protect. Since those three 2nd half goals condemned City to a derby loss, they have only let in one goal in subsequent 18 home league matches. The Cityzens are undefeated in their last 53 top-flight games against teams who began the day outside the top 4.

Mourinho takes charge of his 300th premier league this Sunday and will be hoping for a derby win to further silence doubters who surmised that the manager had lost the dressing room and not suited to the Red Devils’ managerial position. United defence face probably their toughest test of the season so far and will have to go against a trend that has seen them keep only one clean sheet in the league. The defence has conceded 18 goals in 11 league games and should they concede 2 more goals against City, will set a new record for the worst defensive start for United since 1966.

Teams News

United are monitoring the fitness of Lukaku who has returned to training. His record of no goals in 9 games likely indicates a place on the bench is the best he can hope for. Antonio Valencia and Marouane Fellaini both returned from injury and travelled to Turin with Fellaini making a late substitute appearance. Diogo Dalot remains out.

Alexis Sanchez appeared to be struggling with a thigh injury before being replaced in midweek. Both he and Paul Pogba who missed training due to a “light injury” are expected to pass fitness tests and play.

City are without Kevin De Bruyne who suffered a ligament damage in the Carabao Cup win over Fulham. He has been ruled out for 5-6 weeks. Ilkay Gundogan and Nicolas Otamendi were back in the squad for the midweek game against Shakhtar and are available for selection while Claudio Bravo and Eliaquim Mangala are long-term absentees

Verdict

A derby is always tough to call as form counts for little. United will play a physical game knowing full well that they can’t compete with City’s talent and tactics. City are majestic if you allow them to get into a rhythm and the referee may have his work cut out for him on Sunday. It’s difficult seeing United go away from Etihad with the 3 points. A score draw or a City win look more likely.