Utd, City Divide Manchester in 191st Derby

Fans will flock to Old Trafford en masse for the 191st Manchester derby tomorrow afternoon, as Manchester United butt heads with ‘noisy neighbours’ Manchester City

Both teams enter the highly-anticipated battle on the back of Champions League victories, as the Red Devils sunk Copenhagen 1-0, while the reigning European champions overcame BSC Young Boys 3-1.

In Man United’s first home fixture since the death of the legendary Sir Bobby Charlton, Red Devils and Copenhagen fans stood as one during a moving pre-game tribute to the 1966 World Cup winner, whose passing and legacy will also be marked by moments of remembrance across the country this weekend.

Erik ten Hag’s men needed to rely on a Diogo Dalot stunner to see off Sheffield United in their most recent Premier League game before the visit of the Danish champions, and owing to a similarly toothless attacking display, members of the rearguard were required to save the day again.

Harry Maguire’s second-half header and a stoppage-time penalty save from the under-fire Andre Onana saw Man United make it third time lucky in the top tier of European football, and Ten Hag’s side have now strung together a three-game winning sequence for the first time in the 2023-24 campaign, although not one of those victories has been convincing by any stretch.

Nevertheless, by holding off the threat of Sheffield United and Brentford in their last two Premier League contests, Man United have surged up to eighth in the Premier League table with 15 points to their name, although a five-point gap still separates them from Liverpool in the final Champions League position.

Only Southampton and Crystal Palace have prevented Man United from scoring in a Premier League home fixture since the start of the 2022-23 season, but the hitherto stingy Red Devils defence remain without a top-flight clean sheet at Old Trafford this term, music to the ears of Erling Haaland and co.

Ending a European goal drought stretching all the way back to April, Haaland quickly rediscovered his golden Champions League touch when Man City continued the defence of their crown against Young Boys, who held out for the first 45 minutes before Manuel Akanji bundled home early in the second half.

Switzerland international, Akanji’s goal on home soil was quickly wiped out by a stunning lobbed effort from Meschack Elia, but Haaland proceeded to snap a five-game run without a Champions League goal from the penalty spot, before completing his brace with a quintessential arrowed finish into the top corner.

Remaining unblemished in European football this season, Pep Guardiola’s treble winners also avoided an unfathomable third successive Premier League defeat last weekend, edging out Brighton & Hove Albion by two goals to one to remain on the coat-tails of leaders Tottenham Hotspur, who who have gone five points clear with 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace last night.

The statistics do not weigh heavily in the visitors’ favour, though, as Man City have now gone six games without keeping a clean sheet in all tournaments and are now at risk of losing three consecutive Premier League matches for the first time in the Guardiola era; not since the Manuel Pellegrini days of 2016 have they endured such a barren run in the top flight.

An unwanted record for the Catalonian coach is not beyond the realm of possibility, as Man United came up trumps 2-1 in this fixture back in January, but Man City quickly completed their revenge mission in the FA Cup final en route to joining their bitter adversaries in English football’s exclusive treble club.

Meanwhile, Manchester United winger, Facundo Pellistri has taken a dig at Manchester City ahead of the derby by claiming they’re not as popular as the Red Devils despite being more successful in recent years.

Erik ten Hag’s men are currently enjoying a three-match winning streak across all competitions and have the opportunity to make a real statement of intent by beating the Premier League champions.

City on the other hand will be eager to gain ground on table-leading Tottenham Hotspur, who are currently two points clear at the top.

Last season, United beat City at home courtesy of goals from Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford, to complete a sensational comeback.

Ten Hag will undoubtedly be hoping for the same. Ahead of the game, Pellistri took a cheeky swipe at City.

The Uruguayan said, “Manchester is United. You don’t see City jerseys or flags. Sometimes my girlfriend and I go out to try to find them and we don’t see any.”

“Everywhere you go, there are Manchester United jerseys. I’m struck that there aren’t as many City jerseys.”

However, former Chelsea striker Chris Sutton has given his prediction of the Manchester derby.

The BBC Sport pundit has backed City to win the Premier League game against United with ease.

Sutton has also hailed Haaland and has suggested that he will score at Old Trafford.

The 23-year-old Norway international striker has scored nine goals and given one assist in nine Premier League matches.

Haaland has scored two goals and given one assist in three UEFA Champions League matches this season.

Sutton told BBC Sport: “Manchester United are very good at playing on the counter-attack, and that style does suit playing City.

“But United are an average side and, to predict how this might go, I think you have to look beyond their past three results and consider the unconvincing way they have won those games.

“City, in contrast, look to me like they are going to smash someone sooner or later, and Sunday could be the day that happens if they return to their ruthless best.

“The talk before the season started was whether United were any closer to City but, from what we’ve seen so far, they are miles off – and I am expecting this game to prove it.

“I might give United a goal, because of their threat on the break, but City should still run away with it.

“For some reason there seems to be some negativity about Erling Haaland’s form this season, but I don’t agree with that.

“Haaland has still scored loads of goals and is the Premier League’s top scorer with nine so far – he is a ridiculous talent and I will be surprised if he doesn’t show it in a big way here.