In what is arguably the most high-profile encounter in all of English football, reigning Premier League champions Manchester City will be hoping to get one over their fierce city rivals Manchester United when they travel to Old Trafford on Sunday. The Red Devils are coming into this fixture on the back of a comfortable away win against Wayne Rooney’s Derby County side. Still, Pep Guardiola will take motivation from the fact that Ole’s men were held by Everton at the Goodison last weekend.
Manchester United Vs Manchester City Tactical Preview
Talking Tactics
Manchester United
Manchester United have earned a reputation as one of the many deadly counter-attacking sides in the league, and they perfected that in the reverse fixture at the Etihad Stadium. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Ole deploying similar tactics against the Citizens this time as well, despite lacking the presence of Marcus Rashford up-front. With that said though, with Odion Ighalo now a viable option, the gaffer could go for a more balanced setup this time around.
Manchester City
Expect the champions to start the game in control of possession, looking to break the United defence down with their swift passing and movement. The likes of Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez could be asked to stay forward during the opening minutes. City will likely look to blow United away within the first half. Unless the Red Devils can conjure up a special defensive display, this could go precisely according to Pep Guardiola’s plan.
Team News
Manchester United
The injury picked up by Marcus Rashford earlier in the campaign remains United’s biggest selection concern. The amount of threat and finesse that he brought to the forward line can’t be explained, and his eventual return will be seen as a massive step in the right direction. Other than that, Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Daniel James are all set to take late fitness tests to determine their availability for this tie.
Predicted Lineup: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw; Matic, Fred; James, Fernandes, Martial; Ighalo
Manchester City
Leroy Sane’s long-term knock ensures that the German isn’t going to make it back in time for this weekend, while Kevin De Bruyne is also due for a delayed fitness test to assess his match readiness. The most gutting injury news came in the form of Aymeric Laporte, who had only recently returned from injury but then went on to do his hamstring again. He isn’t expected back at least until the end of the month.
Predicted Lineup: Ederson; Walker, Otamendi, Fernandinho, Mendy; De Bruyne, Rodri, Gundogan; Mahrez, Aguero, Sterling
Key Men
Manchester United
Odion Ighalo has now scored three goals in six appearances for United across all competitions, and this fixture against City could be the right time for Ole to test him out. With that said though, there’s no denying that the catalyst for most of United’s recent good fortune has been Bruno Fernandes. Expect the midfield magician to be at the heart of everything positive that Ole’s team creates.
Manchester City
Despite the resurgence of Gabriel Jesus as a Premier League striker, Argentine veteran Sergio Aguero remains the league’s most clinical attacker. The former Atletico Madrid man consistently showcases why he’s survived at the highest level for such a long time now, and in the potential absence of De Bruyne in midfield, expect Aguero to step up to the plate and deliver.
