The State of Play
Manchester United make the short trip across town to the Etihad on the back of some good form. Their defeat to Fulham last weekend was their first in eight games in all competitions and they bounced back immediately with a 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup.
Erik ten Hag appears to have found some consistency from his side even if performances remain a little unconvincing.
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They will be tested to the full on Sunday when they come up against a City side that was rampant in the 6-2 midweek win at Luton.
Pep Guardiola’s men have won 16 and drawn two of their last 18 games and appear to have key players returning to form and full fitness – evidenced by Erling Haaland’s five goals and Kevin De Bruyne’s four assists at Kenilworth Road.
City are a point behind leaders Liverpool and their bid to land a double treble of Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup remains on track.
Team News
Jack Grealish has been ruled out after limping out of the action before half-time at Luton with a groin injury to continue his frustrating season.
Erik ten Hag and Manchester United have major issues in two departments with no senior left-back as both Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia are out injured, whilst Rasmus Hojlund is still missing up-front.
All eyes on Sunday 👊#MUFC || #PL PIC.TWITTER.COM/WBIHGWGMDL
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) MARCH 1, 2024
Expected Line-ups
Man City: Ederson; Walker, Stones, Dias, Ake; Rodri, Bernardo; Foden, De Bruyne, Doku; Haaland
Man Utd: Onana; Dalot, Varane, Evans, Lindelof; Casemiro, Mainoo; Antony, Fernandes, Garnacho; Rashford
What they Said
Pep Guardiola on Manchester United
“What I have learned from my experience in these kind of games is to stay relaxed, don’t talk too much, talk about tactics and not the emotion. The emotion will be there. They [United] are able to go to Wolves and beat them, able to go to Luton and beat them, go to Aston Villa and win a few weeks ago. They have the quality and in one action can create something special. When they play well, they win games. In 2024, they have lost one game, they have proved their consistency.”
PEP 💬 What I’ve learnt with my experience in these games, [is to be] more calm, relax. Don’t talk about many things, just focus on tactical issues. The emotion will be there. Prepare the game knowing their quality PIC.TWITTER.COM/2OCYU3RQQO
— Manchester City (@ManCity) MARCH 1, 2024
Erik ten Hag on preparation for the derby
“We will prepare well, the players are ready for it, they are looking forward to it – I can smell it when I speak to the players. We are excited. They have a good team – that’s the challenge. But there are more good teams.”
When and How to Watch
This match will be played at the Etihad Stadium at 15:30 on Sunday, March 3rd. It will be shown live on Sky Sports in the UK and can be streamed live via the Sky Go app, too, in the UK.
Prediction
City have won the last three meetings between the sides at the Etihad – two in the league and one in the FA Cup – scoring a combined 12 goals in the process. And with Haaland and De Bruyne firing it could be a very long afternoon for United.
The Red Devils’ recent away form has been good with six successive wins, but extending that to seven would be a significant surprise.
Expect City to cruise to victory with something to spare.
