With the Premier League set to return following an internationally-provoked break, the 197th Manchester derby will take centre stage this weekend.
Ruben Amorim is aiming to build upon a promising performance during a 3-2 win against Burnley, with the prospect of earning consecutive Etihad victories for the first time since March 2021.
In contrast, Pep Guardiola is hoping to kickstart City’s season, having fallen to two defeats in three league outings.
Despite the early stages of this Mancunian affair, the result can alter the dynamics for either squad, with a victory offering the capabilities to enhance momentum in the dressing room ahead of a charge up the table.
Having failed to convert one of the many opportunities created in defeat against Arsenal, Amorim will demand a continuation of a forward-thinking United mentality as he strives to maintain a dominant record against his Spanish rival.
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The goalkeeping conundrum has filled much of the conversation leading up to the derby, with Andre Onana completing his season-long loan move to Turkish outfit Trabzonspor.
Senne Lammens arrived on deadline day, bolstering the options with one eye on an ambitious move towards ‘Project 150’. However, the Belgian talent will not be thrust into the spotlight too soon, with a more tried-and-tested option preferred.
“I believe in Altay [Bayindir],” Amorim stated during his pre-match press conference. “He is ready to play, and he is going to play.”
Injuries have played a perennial role at Carrington in recent years, with a plethora of first-team names routinely hampered by niggling setbacks.
Matheus Cunha, Mason Mount and Diogo Dalot are all unavailable. Cunha and Mount sustained injuries against Burnley, while Dalot withdrew from international duty due to muscle pain.
“I think they are out for this game,” Ruben continued. “I don’t know how long it is going to take. We need those players to be a very, very competitive team, but we have very good players that are eager to play, so we will be competitive on Sunday, but they are out – they cannot help us in this game.
“I don’t want to say [how long they will be out]. If you talk with Cunha, if you catch Cunha outside, he will say he can play this game! So I don’t know. We will manage day by day, but they are pushing hard, and that is a good thing.”
City are without Omar Marmoush, Rayan Ait-Nouri, and Rayan Cherki, while John Stones is a doubt after withdrawing from Thomas Tuchel’s side.
Gianluigi Donnarumma is available to make his debut in the North West, following a highly-publicised move from Paris Saint-Germain.
United are unbeaten in the previous four meetings between the sides during regulation (W2 & D2), although the 2024 Community Shield was decided on penalties.
Interestingly, 25% of Guardiola’s total home Premier League defeats have come against their Manchester rivals (4/16), and since 2015-16, the home side has come out on top only six times in 20 derby outings.
The last time a City side tasted defeat three times in their opening four league fixtures came during the 1995-96 campaign, which eventually ended in relegation.
Predicted Manchester United starting XI: (3-4-2-1): Bayindir; Yoro, De Ligt, Shaw; Amad, Casemiro, Mainoo, Dorgu; Mbeumo, Bruno; Sesko.
How do you feel ahead of the latest Manchester derby? Let us know your thoughts in the comments or across our socials.
Photo by Mark Cosgrove/News Images via depositphotos.com
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