The 189th Manchester derby takes place at Old Trafford on Saturday lunchtime when Manchester United play host to fierce rivals Manchester City in an intriguing Premier League showdown.
The Red Devils will be seeking revenge after suffering a humbling 6-3 defeat against the Citizens at the Etihad Stadium in October.
Match preview
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There has been plenty to smile about at Man United since their loss to City, as Erik ten Hag has steered his side on a superb run of form, losing just one of their last 18 competitive matches – a 3-1 defeat at Aston Villa in early November – and they have won all six games since the World Cup break.
United's most recent success came in the EFL Cup when they booked their place in the semi-finals courtesy of a 3-0 home win over Charlton Athletic on Tuesday night, with in-form attacker Marcus Rashford (2) and summer signing Antony both on the scoresheet.
Ten Hag has now won 20 of his first 27 competitive matches in charge of the Red Devils, the fewest games taken to reach this landmark by any manager in the club's history. The Dutchman appears to have restored belief at the Theatre of Dreams having overseen vast improvement in fortunes, with domestic cup glory and a top-four place in the Premier League now firmly in their sights this season.
Man United, who currently sit fourth in the Premier League table and level on points with Newcastle United in third, have accumulated more points (35) than any other team since and including their 2-1 victory over Liverpool on August 22, winning 11 of their 15 matches during this period.
However, their rich vein of form will be put to the test by reigning top-flight champions Man City, who have come out on top in each of the last three Manchester derbies by an aggregate score of 12-4. The Red Devils have also lost more Premier League home fixtures against the Citizens (eight) than against any other opponent.
Man United's overall form and recent run at Old Trafford bodes well ahead of Saturday's contest, though, as they have won nine consecutive games on home soil and have kept seven clean sheets in the process.
Victory for Ten Hag and co would move them to within one point of City in second place and six points behind leaders Arsenal, who follow up Sunday's North London derby with a clash against United next weekend. Audacious conversations of a potential title charge for the Red Devils may soon come to the fore should their strong form continue, with 20 league games still remaining.
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After cruising to a 4-0 victory over Chelsea in the FA Cup third round last weekend, many would have predicted another comfortable win for Man City against Premier League basement club Southampton in the EFL Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday night.
However, the Citizens were deservedly beaten 2-0 by the Saints and failed to register a single shot on target throughout the 90 minutes for the first time in 275 matches since a 3-0 Champions League loss to Liverpool in April 2018. Pep Guardiola also endured the first-ever domestic cup quarter-final exit of his managerial career, ending a 15-game winning streak at this stage.
Hopes of an unprecedented quadruple are now over this term, and Guardiola will be keen for his side to bounce back in what will be his 500th top-flight game as a coach on Saturday – his 246th in charge of Man City – as they bid to reduce the five-point gap that currently separates them from Arsenal at the Premier League summit.
The reigning top-flight champions have seen their impeccably high standards slip slightly in recent months, dropping eight points from as many league matches, while they have also failed to score in four of their last seven away games across all competitions.
However, Guardiola's side will relish a derby-day trip to Man United having won nine of their last 14 visits to Old Trafford in all tournaments since and including their iconic 6-1 league triumph in October 2011.
A perfect way for City to rebuild their momentum ahead of a challenging fixture schedule – including two games each against Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal – would be to secure a record 19th Premier League victory over the Red Devils this weekend, completing a record sixth top-flight double over their bitter rivals in the process.
After scoring six against Ten Hag's side at the Etihad just three months ago – courtesy of memorable hat-tricks bagged by Erling Braut Haaland and Phil Foden – City could also break their own club record for the most goals scored against United in a single campaign (eight goals in 1954-55) if they find the net at least three times on Saturday.
Team News
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Ten Hag has confirmed that Man United right-back Diogo Dalot is "not available" for Saturday's derby due to a hamstring problem, while Donny van de Beek has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a serious knee injury. Axel Tuanzebe is also sidelined through injury.
Jadon Sancho is unlikely to feature as he continues his individual fitness programme, but the Red Devils are able to welcome back Bruno Fernandes, who missed the win over Charlton due to suspension, and the playmaker is expected to join Casemiro and Christian Eriksen in midfield.
Rashford, who has scored in all six of United's games since the World Cup break, is poised for a recall to the first XI along with Raphael Varane – who was rested in midweek – and Luke Shaw, with Alejandro Garnacho, Harry Maguire and Tyrell Malacia all set to drop to the substitutes' bench.
United confirmed the loan signing of Burnley's Wout Weghorst on Friday evening, but the Dutch striker will not be involved on Saturday; Anthony Martial is therefore expected to lead the line from the start as long as he passes a late fitness test.
As for Man City, Guardiola has confirmed that John Stones is "not ready" to return after missing the Southampton defeat due to fitness issues, while "everyone else is fit" according to the Spanish boss, meaning Ruben Dias could return to the matchday squad for the first time since sustaining a hamstring injury at the World Cup.
Kyle Walker surprisingly began as a central defender in midweek, but he will likely revert to right-back on Saturday, with Aymeric Laporte, Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake all battling for a starting spot at centre-back. However, Ake may be preferred over Joao Cancelo and Sergio Gomez to begin at left-back.
Kevin De Bruyne and Rodri are expected to return to centre-midfield, with Cole Palmer and Kalvin Phillips set to drop out of the first XI, while Haaland – the top scoring player across Europe's top-five leagues with 21 goals – will return in his central role up front.
Riyad Mahrez has scored nine goals when coming off the bench under Guardiola, the most of any substitute in the Spaniard's entire managerial top-flight career, but the in-form Algerian could be recalled to the first XI on Saturday after being given a rest in midweek, with either Foden, Jack Grealish or Julian Alvarez completing the front 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
We say: Manchester United 1-2 Manchester City
Saturday's Manchester derby has a lot to live up to following the nine-goal thriller in October, and a tighter affair is to be expected this time around considering the significant improvements made by Man United in recent months.
However, Man City tend to respond well following a defeat and with a number of star names set to be recalled to their starting lineup, we can see Guardiola's side securing three valuable points to put pressure on Arsenal at the Premier League summit.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Oliver Thomas
