Of all the EPL fixtures lined up for this weekend, Sunday’s Manchester derby between Manchester United and their noisy neighbours Manchester City at the Old Trafford, will certainly dominate discussions. It will be the 199th derby in the series with the kickoff billed for 7.30pm.
The Red Devils head into tomorrow’s Manchester derby with plenty to prove after a rocky start to their Premier League campaign, having suffered a shock 2-0 defeat to newly promoted Hull City, followed by a 5-2 comeback win over Ipswich Town and a 2-2 draw at Everton.
Defensive frailties have been a particular concern, with United conceding six goals in their three league matches, and Michael Carrick will know his side must improve at the back against an unbeaten Manchester City side.
Carrick, though, will have fond memories of this fixture, having marked his first game as United manager with a 2-0 victory over City earlier this year.
United will be looking to make it back-to-back Premier League derby victories, something they have not achieved since Sir Alex Ferguson’s side won four consecutive league meetings between September 2008 and November 2009.
Enzo Maresca has made a strong start to life at Manchester City, recovering from the 3-0 Community Shield defeat by Arsenal by winning all four games since, although their opening-day 2-1 victory over Bournemouth at the Etihad was far from convincing.
Erling Haaland has been in his normal ruthless form, scoring five goals in three Premier League games and adding two more in the Champions League, but City have not looked entirely convincing defensively, with Gianluigi Donnarumma required to make several important saves in their narrow win over Coventry.
That leaves the biggest question of all hanging over them – can City maintain the standards established during Pep Guardiola’s decade in charge? Guardiola left after winning six Premier League titles and a Champions League, while his record against United was particularly impressive, winning 11 of his 20 competitive Manchester derbies as City boss, with five draws and four defeats.
City have won just one of the last four meetings with Manchester United in all competitions, with United winning the most recent derby 2-0 at Old Trafford in January.
United have won nine of their last 10 Premier League home games since Michael Carrick took charge, making Old Trafford a particularly difficult venue for City.
Both sides recorded the most shots on target across the opening three Premier League games, highlighting the attacking threat on either side.
Erling Haaland has scored eight goals against Manchester United, with only Wayne Rooney (11) and Joe Hayes (10) having scored more in competitive Manchester derbies.
Fernandes and Haaland
Haaland has already scored three goals in his first three Premier League games this season, before tomorrow’s derby.
United hold the bragging right leading with 81 wins to City’s 62 as the 199th derby takes centre stage.
