Manchester City vs Manchester United
England – Premier League
Date: Sunday, 6 March 2022
Kick-off at 16:30 UK/ 17:30 CET
Venue: Etihad Stadium.
When Manchester City takes on local rival Manchester United in a derby this weekend, they will be looking to keep their Premier League lead.
On Sunday evening, the flagship match of Matchday 28 of the 2021/22 Premier League will take place at the Etihad Stadium, with defending champions Manchester City taking on neighbours Manchester United.
It’s a game that might have a big impact on the championship race and the top-four competition.
Manchester City leads Liverpool by six points in the Premier League standings, but that lead may be cut to three points by the time the game takes off on Sunday.
The Citizens have looked fragile since their stunning loss to Tottenham, overcoming Everton with a bit of luck before being forced to work hard in the FA Cup against Championship club Peterborough United earlier this week.
Pep Guardiola’s side cannot afford a slip-up with Liverpool breathing down their necks, and will be aiming for three points against Manchester United, who are clinging to fourth place in the table.
Indeed, United have dropped crucial points in winnable games against Burnley, Southampton, and, most recently, Watford, who held Ralf Rangnick’s team to a goalless draw.
Manchester United has maintained a two-point advantage over fifth-placed West Ham United, thanks to their own slip-up.
Even though they are on an eight-game unbeaten run in the league, Arsenal and Tottenham are not far behind and have games in hand, making it critical for the 20-time English champions to start picking up wins.
Manchester City defeated Manchester United 2-0 in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford in November 2021.
The Red Devils, on the other hand, have won four of their last five excursions to the Etihad Stadium in all competitions, with only one defeat in their previous seven encounters.
It promises to be an exciting match, given that they have only lost one game in their last 20 tournament games (excluding penalty shootouts).
Manchester City vs Manchester United Head to head :
- The latest meeting had ended in a 0-2 win for the Citizens at the Old Trafford.
- The last six meetings in a row saw at least one of the squads keeping a clean sheet.
- At this venue, the latest clash had ended in a 0-2 win for the guests.
- It’s been three years since both the teams found the back of the net in the same match.
Manchester City vs Manchester United Prediction :
Manchester City’s last three games have seen them lose to Tottenham Hotspur and win narrowly against Everton and Peterborough United.
While it would be stupid to dismiss Pep Guardiola’s team on any given day, Manchester United are on an eight-game winning streak.
Since Ralf Rangnick’s appointment, the Red Devils have created 160 goalscoring opportunities, which is more than any other team, and have tightened up their defense significantly.
Their inability to convert those opportunities, on the other hand, has hampered their ability to advance higher in the standings.
Manchester United has also won each of their last three games at the Etihad Stadium.
Given their proclivity in front of goal, a win may be beyond their reach on Sunday, but a scored tie appears to be the most likely result.
Manchester City vs Manchester United Team News :
Nathan Ake and Ruben Dias are both out of the derby, according to Guardiola’s pre-match news conference, with the latter facing a four- to six-week layoff due to a hamstring injury.
Zack Steffen and Cole Palmer are both injured for the Citizens, but they would never have started here, and Guardiola now has Jack Grealish and Gabriel Jesus back from injury.
Kyle Walker has struggled for consistency in recent weeks, but it would be remarkable if he did not return to the starting XI tonight, allowing John Stones to return to a central role while Dias heals.
In terms of Man United, Scott McTominay is likely to recover from illness in time to reclaim his starting spot in the middle of the park, and Edinson Cavani could also be back from his groin injury, although Ralf Rangnick has revealed that a couple of unnamed players have “question marks” over them.
Rangnick will have to be cautious with Cristiano Ronaldo’s 37-year-old legs, but sources suggest the five-time Ballon d’Or winner will start at the Etihad, with Marcus Rashford on standby.
After a weak attacking display against Watford, fans would expect Nemanja Matic to be replaced by Jadon Sancho, and Rangnick will have to make a significant decision over Harry Maguire after benching him last week.
With Victor Lindelof and Raphael Varane doing so well against the Hornets, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Maguire benched once more amid allegations of internal discontent over his constant playing time.
Manchester City possible starting lineup:
Ederson; Walker, Stones, Laporte, Cancelo; Silva, Rodri, De Bruyne; Mahrez, Foden, Sterling
Manchester United possible starting lineup:
De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Varane, Telles; Pogba, McTominay; Elanga, Fernandes, Sancho; Ronaldo
