The Manchester Derby is upon us once again, the first of the 2020/21 campaign and it would be happening at Old Trafford.
Manchester City may fancy this one looking at the poor home record United have this season. The Reds have lost to Crystal Palace, Arsenal among others already this term and Pep Guardiola might look to exploit that frailty.
Bruno Fernandes has been Manchester United‘s top performer this season so far and Kevin De Bruyne has continued where he left off for City from last season, but we might see who’s more influential for their team in today’s match.
The midfield masters will face off at Old Trafford on Saturday in the first Manchester derby this season.
While Pep Guardiola’s side head into the weekend with some momentum having secured qualification from their Champions League group and winning back-to-back league games with clean sheets, the same cannot be said about their neighbors who crashed out of the Champions League.
United slipped into the Europa League after a 3-2 defeat to RB Leipzig, following mediocre displays to overcome deficits and beat West Ham and Southampton in recent weeks.
However, the Premier League top table remains wide open.
Both teams have played a game less than others while United lead City by a solitary position and point – with the clubs just five and six points adrift from league-leaders Tottenham, respectively.
Team News
Manchester United Team News
Anthony Martial is available for selection for the Derby while Ole Gunnar Solskjaer waits on a late fitness test concerning Edinson Cavani.
Both forwards missed Tuesday’s costly Champions League loss at RB Leipzig with “minor niggles”, but the manager of the side says Martial will “definitely be involved” and Cavani will be assessed after returning to training.
Luke Shaw who managed 61 minutes on his return from a hamstring issue in the defeat in Germany during the midweek games is in contention to start.
David de Gea is also back from injury and replaced Dean Henderson in goal after missing last weekend’s win at West Ham through injury.
Fred comes back into the fold having been suspended for United’s Champions League decider.
Manchester City Team News
Manchester City’s record goalscorer Sergio Aguero is not ready to start the derby although he was introduced in the Champions Legue match against Marseille.
The Argentinian was on target as he returned from a knee injury as a substitute in the midweek match and any action this weekend will again be off the bench.
Midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has recovered from a blow to the ankle but defender Eric Garcia faces a couple of weeks on the sidelines with a knock.
Stats and facts from the match (Backed by Opta)
- Manchester United won both Premier League meetings with Manchester City last season – they last won three in a row in the competition against their local rivals between November 2008-April 2010 (four wins).
- Manchester City have won seven Premier League away games at Old Trafford, more than any other visiting side, with six of their seven such victories away to Manchester United coming in the previous nine seasons.
- Just 21% of Manchester United’s Premier League points this season have been won in home games (4/19), the lowest share in the division so far this term.
- Manchester United have won a league-high 15 points from losing positions this season (all away from home), with their victory against West Ham last time out putting them top of this particular stat all-time for the Premier League (385 points).
- Manchester City have lost five Premier League away games in 2020, last losing more in a single calendar year in the competition back in 2015 (7).
- Manchester City have won their last two Premier League games by an aggregate score of 7-0 – that’s as many goals as they’d netted in their previous seven league games combined, while they’re looking to keep three consecutive league clean sheets for the first time since a run of four in April/May 2019.
- Of all managers to have faced Man City boss Pep Guardiola at least four times in all competitions, Man Utd’s Ole Gunnar Solskjær has the highest win rate against the Spaniard, with the Norwegian winning three of their five meetings (60%).
Prediction
Considering United’s poor run of form at Old Trafford this season, a run that stretches back to losing three already this term with one win and draw each as well, it would be difficult to look past City getting a go at that stat and for that, a City win looks more likely.
Verdict: Manchester United 1-3 Manchester City
