Manchester United welcome their cross-town rivals to Old Trafford in what is shaping up as one of the most interesting derbies in recent seasons.
City currently sit two points clear of United on top of the table but a win for United would see them leap-frog City, possibly into first place.
With Chelsea having fallen off the pace and with only Arsenal seemingly shaping up as a serious title contenders, this match will have huge implications for the title race.
Derbies are always testing affairs but given the stakes and the context of the title race, they do not get much more important than this.
Key Battle – Raheem Sterling vs Marcos Rojo
In the absence of Silva and Aguero, City’s attacking inspiration will need to come from a fresh source. The most likely sources are Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne and English starlet Raheem Sterling. Sterling was on fire in his last Premier League outing against Bournemouth, netting his first hat-trick for the Sky Blues. He will need to bring that same lethal attitude in front of goal at Old Trafford.
Marcos Rojo has looked solid filling in at left-back since Luke Shaw’s broken leg but this is by far his biggest test of the season. If Rojo and co. can limit Sterling’s impact, it will go a long way to securing a United victory.
Team News
The Red Devils have been without Juan Mata since he was substituted at half time in their win at Everton. Jesse Lingard filled in for the Spanish playmaker in the midweek trip to Moscow but in a game of this magnitude Mata will surely reclaim his place in the starting lineup if fully healthy.
Memphis Depay has also lost the faith of manager Louis van Gaal after a red-hot start to the season. Depay should again look on from the sidelines as Anthony Martial and Wayne Rooney start as United’s two most attacking players.
After a strong run of form, Ander Herrera deserves to keep his spot in attacking midfield. Herrera was superb last time out against Everton and was again among United’s best in Moscow. Marouane Fellaini could be a surprise inclusion to counter the physical threat of City’s big-bodied midfielders.
United’s holding midfield positions have seemingly been a three-way carosel this season with Bastian Schweinsteiger, Michael Carrick and Morgan Schneiderlin all regularly rotating. Schweinsteiger and Carrick appeared van Gaal’s preference in big games but their poor display in United’s 3-0 thrashing by Arsenal could give the manager second thoughts.
The other position up from grabs is at left-back. Rojo has been preferred as Luke Shaw’s replacement in the position so far. However a fit-again Daley Blind could take his position. Van Gaal might opt for the more defensively-minded Rojo, given Rojo should be seeing a lot of City winger Raheem Sterling.
Manchester United Expected XI (4-2-3-1): De Gea (GK); Darmian, Jones, Smalling, Rojo; Schweinsteiger, Carrick; Mata, Herrera, Rooney; Martial.
As for City, they will come prepared to play in what shapes to be a physical contest. Yaya Toure and Fernandinho will look to assert themselves in the middle of the park.
De Bruyne, Jesus Navas and Sterling will provide the attacking inspiration in the absence of David Silva. Wilfred Bony should again lead the line as Sergio Aguero looks on from the stands, much to the relief of the United back four. Aguero’s absence will be a big boost for United with the dynamic Argentine having scored eight goals in eight career meetings with the Red Devils.
Manchester City Expected XI (4-2-3-1): Hart (GK); Zabaleta, Otamendi, Mangala, Sagna; Toure, Fernandinho; Navas, De Bruyne, Sterling; Bony.
Head-to-Head
Manchester United and Manchester City have met 169 times. United have won 70, City have won 49 and 50 have ended in draws.
Previous Meeting
Last time they met, United were in the midst of their midseason form surge. Goals from Young, Fellaini, Mata and Smalling set up a crushing 4-2 win at Old Trafford.
Prediction
This is the toughest derby to call in a number of years. United at home gives them a slight edge over a City side missing a number of key players.
Manchester United 2 Manchester City 1
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