Manchester City and their next door neighbours will clash for the first time in the 2022-23 Premier League season.
At the Etihad, second-placed Manchester City will welcome a resurgent Manchester United in a tricky game on Sunday.
The Manchester derby could well emerge as the game of the weekend that has also seen Arsenal brush aside Tottenham in the north London derby.
Manchester United started the season in an unconvincing manner with back-to-back defeats to Brighton and Brentford but have won their last four matches in a row, including victories against Liverpool and Arsenal.
The Red Devils are from all indications, ready to challenge recent monopoly in the derby by Manchester City.
Before the international break, Manchester City defeated Wolves 3-0 to flex their muscles before this crucial clash.
Their new goalmachine, Erling Haaland has been firing on all cylinders and leave them as the favourites to win today’s encounter.
Haaland has found back of the net a record eleven times in just seven games and is way ahead in the Golden Boot race.
Pundits and fans alike are still wondering how the shortest central defender in the league, Lisandro Martinez would be able to keep the Norwalegian quiet today and this means that the United defender will have a tough time dealing with the giant striker who will be desperately in search of his first derby goal.
Veteran Manchester United forward, Cristiano Ronaldo is finding life a little difficult this season and his lack of goals could be a concern for his boss, Erik ten Hag but the Portugal international always identifies the big stage to stamp his authority.
But Manchester United have found a way to survive without the five-time Ballon d’Or holder, with Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho stepping up this season and breaking their shackles.
Team News
For Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, they will be without their defender, John Stones, who has been ruled out for this game. In the absence of the England international, Pep Guardiola will finally have the service of Aymeric Laporte who returns from a long injury battle.
Midfielder, Kalvin Phillips also will be on the sidelines after undergoing shoulder surgery, but Manchester City are very well stocked in the midfield department.
Ederson Moraes is in line to start in goal for Guardiola as usual and he will be guarded by the defensive pair of Manuel Akanji and Ruben Dias.
Kyle Walker should be on the right-back, while Joao Cancelo will be on the left side.
Probable Lineup
(4-3-3): Ederson; Walker, Akanji, Dias, Cancelo; Silva, Rodri, De Bruyne; Foden, Haaland, Grealish
Manchester United’s team News:
According to Erik ten Hag, captain Harry Maguire will not play against Manchester City on Sunday. Also both Axel Tuanzebe and Brandon Williams are long-term absentees.
The manager, while addressing the press on Friday, further confirmed that Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial have resumed training, and the duo will be in contention for a start.
David de Gea will be in line for another start and will be hoping for a third clean sheet this season. Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane will stand in the last line of defence for Manchester United against Manchester City.
Diogo Dalot and Tyrell Malacia will continue to strut their stuff from the right and left-back positions, respectively. Up ahead in midfield, Casemiro will likely be given a start, alongside Christian Eriksen, who has been terrific since joining Manchester United.
Probable Lineup
(4-2-3-1): de Gea; Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Malacia; Casemiro, Eriksen; Antony, Bruno Fernandes, Sancho; Rashford.
Prediction
DAILY POST predicts that Manchester City will win this one.
It would be 2-1 against Manchester United with Erling Haaland getting one of the goals.
ManUtd 3:2 Man City