United, City Divide Manchester in 189th Derby

Manchester United will go head-to-head against their ‘noisy neighbours.’-City in today’s Premier League kickoff at Old Trafford as the Red Devils try to cement their grip on the top-four place, while Pep Guardiola would be going for the jugular and put pressure on league leaders-Arsenal in his quest to becoming the first manager since Alex Ferguson to win three straight Premier League titles. United would be bouyed by their nine home run in all competitions, while City would be hoping to put behind their 2-0 loss to Southampton midweek in the FA Cup. However it pans out, it will definitely be a game for the neutrals to enjoy

The 189th Manchester derby takes place at Old Trafford at today’s lunchtime when Manchester United play host to fierce rivals Manchester City in an intriguing Premier League showdown.

The Red Devils will be seeking revenge after suffering a humbling 6-3 defeat against the Citizens at the Etihad Stadium in October.

There has been plenty to smile about at Man United since their loss to City, as Erik ten Hag has steered his side on a superb run of form, losing just one of their last 18 competitive matches – a 3-1 defeat at Aston Villa in early November and they have won all six games since the World Cup break.

United’s most recent success came in the EFL Cup when they booked their place in the semi-finals courtesy of a 3-0 home win over Charlton Athletic on Tuesday night.

Ten Hag has now won 20 of his first 27 competitive matches in charge of the Red Devils, the fewest games taken to reach this landmark by any manager in the club’s history. The Dutchman appears to have restored belief at the Theatre of Dreams, having overseen vast improvement in fortunes, with domestic cup glory and a top-four place in the Premier League now firmly in their sights this season.

Man United, who currently sit fourth in the Premier League table and level on points with Newcastle United in third, have accumulated more points (35) than any other team since and including their 2-1 victory over Liverpool on August 22, winning 11 of their 15 matches during this period.

However, their rich vein of form will be put to the test by reigning top-flight champions Man City, who have come out on top in each of the last three Manchester derbies by an aggregate score of 12-4. The Red Devils have also lost more Premier League home fixtures against the Citizens (eight) than against any other opponent.

Man United’s overall form and recent run at Old Trafford bodes well ahead of today’s contest, though, as they have won nine consecutive games on home soil and have kept seven clean sheets in the process.

Victory for Ten Hag and co would move them to within one point of City in second place and six points behind leaders Arsenal, who follow up Sunday’s North London derby with a clash against United next weekend. Audacious conversations of a potential title charge for the Red Devils may soon come to the fore should their strong form continue, with 20 league games still remaining.

After cruising to a 4-0 victory over Chelsea in the FA Cup third round last weekend, many would have predicted another comfortable win for Man City against Premier League basement club Southampton in the EFL Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday night.

However, the Citizens were deservedly beaten 2-0 by the Saints and failed to register a single shot on target throughout the 90 minutes for the first time in 275 matches since a 3-0 Champions League loss to Liverpool in April 2018. Pep Guardiola also endured the first-ever domestic cup quarter-final exit of his managerial career, ending a 15-game winning streak at this stage.

Hopes of an unprecedented quadruple are now over this term, and Guardiola will be keen for his side to bounce back in what will be his 500th top-flight game as a coach today – his 246th in charge of Man City – as they bid to reduce the five-point gap that currently separates them from Arsenal at the Premier League summit.

The reigning top-flight champions have seen their impeccably high standards slip slightly in recent months, dropping eight points from as many league matches, while they have also failed to score in four of their last seven away games across all competitions.

However, Guardiola’s side will relish a derby-day trip to Man United, having won nine of their last 14 visits to Old Trafford in all tournaments since and including their iconic 6-1 league triumph in October 2011.

A perfect way for City to rebuild their momentum ahead of a challenging fixture schedule – including two games each against Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal – would be to secure a record 19th Premier League victory over the Red Devils this weekend, completing a record sixth top-flight double over their bitter rivals in the process.

After scoring six against Ten Hag’s side at the Etihad just three months ago – courtesy of memorable hat-tricks bagged by Erling Braut Haaland and Phil Foden – City could also break their own club record for the most goals scored against United in a single campaign (eight goals in 1954-55) if they find the net at least three times today.

Meanwhile, the North London derby headlines Sunday’s Premier League action, as Tottenham Hotspur entertain bitter rivals and league leaders Arsenal.

The Gunners ran out convincing 3-1 winners over Antonio Conte’s sluggish side earlier in the season, but the Lilywhites tend to prove a different beast in North London derbies on their own soil.

With United and City to come before the end of the month, business both on and off the field will be telling when it comes to Arsenal’s title credentials.

Arsenal defeated Spurs at the Emirates in October, but Tottenham have won all three North London derbies at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and would love nothing more than to derail their adversaries’ title ambitions further.