Preview: Amorim’s first Manchester derby should see United hitting City where it hurts! Their form has been worse than United’s! The end of their dynasty?

Manchester City -v- Manchester United

Premier League

Etihad Stadium, Manchester

Sunday 15 December 2024, KO 16:30 GMT

Manchester United return to Premier League action on Sunday afternoon as they travel the short distance to the Etihad Stadium where they will face Manchester City – the first Manchester derby of the season in the Premier League. City have been in terrible form over the last ten matches with just one victory.

United’s form has been bad too but not as bad as City. United have won six of their last ten matches, losing twice and drawing twice. City sit eight points clear of United in the league this season and their form means that United should be looking to take advantage and get a much needed victory at the Etihad once again.

City are not the force they once were. Perhaps the pressures of the cheating investigation have got to them. Pep Guardiola is easily rattled too, which is great to see as he really is a sore loser. Maybe, just maybe, City fans in their droves will start supporting the club they supported before City won the Arab State Lottery!

United – Form, Goals Scored & Assists

Plzeň 2-1 W, Forest 3-2 L, Arsenal 2-0 L, Everton 4-0 W, Bodø/Glimt 3-2 W, Ipswich 1-1 D

Goals: 8 – Alejandro Garnacho, 7 – Rasmus Hojlund, Marcus Rashford, 5 – Bruno Fernandes, 4 – Christian Eriksen, 3 – Amad, Casemiro, Joshua Zirkzee, 1 – Antony, Matthijs de Ligt, Harry Maguire

Assists: 10 – Bruno Fernandes, 6 – Amad, 4 – Alejandro Garnacho, 3 – Christian Eriksen, Marcus Rashford, 2 – Diogo Dalot, Noussair Mazraoui, Joshua Zirkzee, 1 – Rasmus Hojlund, Manuel Ugarte

City – Form, Goals Scored & Assists

Juventus 2-0 L, Palace 2-2 D, Forest 3-0 W, Liverpool 2-0 L, Feyenoord 3-3 D, Spurs 4-0 L

Goals: 18 – Erling Haaland, 3 – Jérémy Doku, Phil Foden, Josko Gvardiol, Mateo Kovacic, Matheus Nunes, John Stones, 2 – Kevin De Bruyne, İlkay Gündoğan, Bernardo Silva, 1 – Rico Lewis, James McAtee

Assists: 6 – Matheus Nunes, 5 – Savinho, 4 – Rico Lewis, Bernardo Silva, 3 – Jérémy Doku, 2 – Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, 1 – Manuel Akanji, Oscar Bobb, Ederson, İlkay Gündoğan, Erling Haaland

Previous Meetings & Connections

United and City have met 54 times in the Premier League. United have won 25 times, drawn nine times and lost 20 times. United scored 77 goals against City, winning six penalties, scoring five. City scored 80 goals against United, winning two penalties, scoring one. United should aim to capitalise on City’s terrible recent form.

United have kept 18 clean sheets in these fixtures with City keeping 12. This has been a fiery clash with discipline being an issue. United players have been shown 97 yellow cards and seven red cards with City players shown 109 yellow cards and no red cards. United will need to keep their heads in the Manchester derby.

Billy Meredith, Denis Law, Brian Kidd, Terry Cooke, Peter Schmeichel, Andrew Cole, Andrei Kanchelskis, Carlos Tevez, Owen Hargreaves, Abbie McManus, Jane Ross, Aoife Mannion, Alex Greenwood, Ella Toone, Francesca Bentley, Jane Ross, Charlie McNeill, Jadon Sancho and Nikita Parris have played for both teams in Manchester.

Team News

United: United are in good stead regarding injuries as just Luke Shaw and Jonny Evans are out of action at this time. Ruben Amorim will soon have a full squad to choose from in his pursuit to get United winning again and bettering their league position to qualify for the UEFA Champions League next season.

Ruled Out: Luke Shaw (calf/shin/heel) and Jonny Evans (knock)

Suspended: None

Close to Returning: None

City: City have a few major injuries ahead of the visit of United. None of the players that are injured are considered as top players for City but the strength in depth has gone for the time being. Six players are out of action for the United match; five injured and one suspended. Come on United!

Ruled Out: Rodrigo Hernandez Cascante (knee), Oscar Bobb (calf/shin/heel), Nathan Ake (thigh), John Stones (ankle/foot) and Manuel Akanji (other)

Suspended: Rico Lewis (two yellow cards – sent off)

Close to Returning: None

Predicted United Starting XI – 3-4-2-1

Onana;

Mazraoui, De Ligt, Martinez;

Amad, Ugarte, Mainoo, Malacia;

Fernandes, Garnacho;

Hojlund

Predicted City Starting XI – 4-2-3-1

Ederson;

Walker, Dias, Gvardiol, Lewis;

Silva, Gündogan;

Savinho, De Bruyne, Nunes;

Haaland

History, training and the lead up to the big match

The rivalry between United and City has always been big, even though City were not a force to be reckoned with for the majority of the history. The Arab State Lottery winners only started competing with United from 2008 and the allegations of cheating with the Premier League charging them for 115 infections, which will come out soon.

The matches against City of late have resulted in United losing. United beat them 2-1 to win the Emirates FA Cup at the end of last season but fell to a penalty defeat in the FA Community Shield, which City celebrated like it is an actual trophy! But since the start of the season, City have feel short of their competition, which is great to see.

Amorim will need to set United up well against City. Their defence will need to be impenetrable and their attack will need to hit City where it hurts. The midfield battle will need to be good for United and another defeat for City will hit them where it hurts and it will be so sweet to hear the moans from those who glory support City.

Manchester City 1-2 Manchester United

Written by Paul