The Nation Newspaper

Tag: MANCHESTER DERBY

  • Things to know ahead Manchester Derby

    Things to know ahead Manchester Derby

    The star match for today’s Premier League contest awaits us at the Etihad Stadium where two stern, grim and unrelenting rivals go against each other.

    It’s the Manchester Derby!

    Classic experiences are bound to go down, outburst of physicality and technicality, emotions will ultimately reach its peak, contention to keep the European dream alive, these surely will be an “I was there moment” for football lovers across the world.

    However, before the scintillating showdown, here are a few things to appraise you with.

    1. How dire is the situation for both clubs?

    United are experiencing their lowest points tally after 15 matches in Premier League history, while City’s total at this stage is their worst since the 2010-11 season.

    Heading into this weekend’s fixtures, United sat in 13th place, and City were in fifth.

    City have accumulated just four points from their last six Premier League matches, the fewest of any team in that span, with only Southampton matching that record.

    2. Head-to-Head Stats – Why Man City Are Favourites

    United have suffered five defeats in their last six Premier League encounters with Manchester City, conceding 18 goals across those losses. The only exception was a 2-1 victory at Old Trafford on January 14, 2023.

    United have also lost their last three Premier League trips to the Etihad Stadium, with an aggregate score of 13-5.

    If they lose again, the Red Devils would match their longest away losing streak against a single Premier League opponent, equaling their current four-match losing run against Arsenal (2022 to present). It would also match their longest away losing streak in Manchester derbies, set at four losses between 1952 and 1955.

    3. Can we expect goals?

    Neither Manchester club is allowing many chances in the Premier League this season, but the few they do concede are of high quality.

    Despite concerns about City’s defense, they have actually faced the fewest shots in the league. United’s defensive record is also strong, with only City, Liverpool, and Aston Villa allowing fewer shots.

    However, City are conceding the highest-quality chances, followed by Ipswich and United.

    At the other end, Erling Haaland and Phil Foden have each scored six of City’s last 13 goals in Premier League Manchester derbies. Only three players have netted more: Sergio Agüero (8), Wayne Rooney (8), and Eric Cantona (7).

    Read Also: City win Manchester derby with dramatic comeback

    So, there are possibilities of goals from either side.

    Head-to-Head 

    – Manchester United have lost five of the last six Premier League meetings with Manchester City, including their last three visits to the Etihad Stadium. 

    – United have not lost four consecutive league games away to City since 1955. 

    – The Red Devils have now lost 20 Premier League matches against City, second only to their 21 defeats against Arsenal. 

    – This will be the first league encounter between the two sides in four years where neither team begins the day in the top three.

    Manchester City

    – City have won just once in their last 10 matches across all competitions, suffering seven defeats – the same number of losses as in their previous 105 games. 

    – Pep Guardiola’s side have conceded at least two goals in seven of their last 11 league matches, equaling the number of times they conceded twice or more in their previous 62 games. 

    – City have earned just four points from their last six Premier League matches, a joint-low with Southampton before the latest round of fixtures. 

    – With 27 points, City are at their lowest tally at this stage since 2010. The last team to have 27 points or fewer after 15 games and go on to win the Premier League title was Manchester United in 2002-03. 

    – Erling Haaland has scored six goals and provided three assists in four league appearances against United. 

    – Haaland’s six Premier League goals in Manchester derbies are matched by Phil Foden, and only Sergio Agüero (8), Wayne Rooney (8), and Eric Cantona (7) have scored more.

    Manchester United

    – United are at risk of losing three consecutive league games for the first time since a run of four defeats between May and August 2022. 

    – They have conceded 39% of their Premier League goals this season from corners (seven of 18), the highest proportion in the competition. 

    – United’s tally of 19 points from 15 league games is their lowest at this stage since 1986, two matches into Sir Alex Ferguson’s tenure. 

    – Their only away victory in seven Premier League games this term was a 3-0 win at Southampton in September (D3, L3). 

    – Harry Maguire is one appearance away from reaching 250 Premier League appearances. 

    – Alejandro Garnacho is aiming to become the first United player to score in three consecutive Manchester derbies since Paul Scholes in 2003-04.

    Predicted Lineup

    Injuries have significantly contributed to City’s recent struggles, and the situation doesn’t seem to be improving. Pep Guardiola will be without Manuel Akanji, Nathan Aké, and John Stones due to injury, while Rico Lewis is also suspended for the Manchester derby.

    Manchester City possible starting lineup:

    Ederson; Walker, Dias, Simpson-Pusey, Gvardiol; De Bruyne, Kovacic; Silva, Foden, Nunes; Haaland

    Manchester United possible starting lineup:

    Onana; Mazraoui, De Ligt, Martinez; Diallo, Ugarte, Mainoo, Dalot; Fernandes, Garnacho; Hojlund

    Score-line prediction

    We should expect a pretty entertaining match which surely wouldn’t be short of goals.

    Both sides to score

    Over 1.5

    City to win

  • MANCHESTER DERBY

    MANCHESTER DERBY

    • Ten Hag’s United face uphill task stopping Haaland, De Bruyne

    Man Utd struggled to cope with Fulham and now face Man City at a time when Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne are finding top form and Erik ten Hag is auditioning to keep his job. Within 12 seconds of Manchester United’s defeat to Fulham there was a gaping chasm between Erik ten Hag’s midfield and defence. Andreas Pereira had free rein on

    Jamie Carragher’s dismantling of Ten Hag’s set up on Monday Night Football was alarming. Perhaps more alarming is the prospect of this space being filled by Kevin De Bruyne tomorrow  when Manchester City play United at the Etihad

    The City captain returned from injury to set up Erling Haaland for four goals in Tuesday’s 6-2 win at Luton in the FA Cup last 16. Haaland scored five goals with his seven shots.

    “It’s coming, we’re coming. We are ready to attack,” Haaland told ITV after the game. A frightening warning which, reflective of United’s poor season, is almost certainly aimed at City’s title rivals.

    Arsenal have laid claim to being the form team in recent weeks, scoring four against Newcastle, five against Burnley and six against West Ham after defeating Liverpool convincingly.

    Jurgen Klopp’s side have overcome every challenge thrown at them in the league to remain leaders despite an injury crisis. The momentum of last Sunday’s Carabao Cup win must not be underestimated, either.

    City, on an 18-game unbeaten run in all competitions, had been going about their business quietly. Now, it seems, Haaland has signalled they are ready to turn it on once again for the run-in.

    What better occasion than the Manchester derby for City to make their own statement of intent?

    Ten Hag faces this daunting prospect at a time when his position is under increasing scrutiny. Sir Jim Ratcliffe has made clear the manager is in no immediate danger, although once the new sporting structure is assembled attention will undoubtedly turn to the dugout.

    The final three months of the season have become an audition for his own job. It is not easy pitching a brighter future to your new boss while, essentially, treading water.

    United’s “odd bunch”, as Gary Neville likes to call them, are hardly making a good case for Ten Hag right now. Getting away with wins over Wolves, Aston Villa and Luton has papered over the cracks.

    This is a group that looks more confused than convinced by their manager. “They defend like no team I’ve ever seen before,” said Carragher on Monday Night Football. “They like to press high with a deep block. It’s impossible.”

    Read Also: Guardiola tips Manchester City to retain Champions League

    Ten Hag was supposed to be the first United manager that could, eventually, go toe-to-toe with Pep Guardiola.

    Instead, his attempt to move beyond the pragmatism that set him in good stead last season has seen United regress this time around, with hopes of Champions League qualification now fading.

    It is likely on Sunday that United’s approach will resemble that of Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in past Manchester derbies.

    Ten Hag does not seem to trust his team enough yet to take the game to City. This was made abundantly clear when United parked the bus at Anfield in December.

    Do not be fooled, this is no criticism of Ten Hag’s decision. In fact, it paid off and quite nearly secured United a win against Liverpool, although that would have been a touch fortunate. A similar outcome feels like the best United can hope for tomorrow.