Ask a Manchester United fan who our biggest rivals are, and you might hear Liverpool, Leeds, City or maybe Arsenal, depending on their age.
But – for a city in which football means so much to so many – there’s nothing quite like derby day. Few fixtures have produced as much drama down the years.
RVP’s free-kick against the run of play.
Scholes’ and Owen’s Fergie-time winners.
Rooney’s bicycle kick.
THAT tackle by Roy Keane.
These moments endure long after the dust has settled and the seasons have finished.
Derby day is for legends to be made – it’s so much more than just 3 points. Shutting up the ‘noisy neighbours’ – at least until next time – can put a spring in the step of any Red for weeks.
The Outlook – cautious optimism
The majority of the fanbase accepts that are we are in ‘phase 1’ of a major overhaul and rebuild under Erik ten Hag, and that Manchester City are – objectively – a better team.
However, although it’s been nearly a decade since United won the league, our record against City in that time, at the Etihad, has been comparatively good: W4 L4 D2.
Traditionally, United have shown up for this fixture and there is no reason that we shouldn’t expect the kind of gritty, battling performance that led to wins against both Liverpool and Arsenal recently. There is a lot of positivity around Old Trafford at the moment, and you get the sense that the majority of fans are cautiously optimistic about Sunday, whilst accepting that we have an uphill battle on our hands.
If we do lose, the fanbase will accept it as long as we go down fighting with a performance we can be proud of and build on.
Manchester United
United come into this fixture in great form, having won their last four league games.
Encouragingly, Marcus Rashford looks like he has a good chance of making his return from injury on Sunday. However, in addition to Anthony Martial, who is likely to miss out, Harry Maguire is doubtful after picking up a knock on England duty.
In a game in which City are expected to dominate possession; a pacy, counter-attacking line-up would make the most sense. United will look to soak up pressure and hit City on the break, similar to how they did, successfully, against Arsenal. Ten Hag looks to be close to knowing his best starting 11, with most positions now having clear first choices.
CDM, right wing and centre forward are the positions that are most likely to change here. That said, here’s our predicted starting 11.
Predicted starting XI:
De Gea
Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Malacia
Fernandes, Casemiro, Eriksen,
Antony, Rashford, Sancho
Manchester City
City also come into this fixture in good form, but they have not looked bulletproof, and John Stones looks doubtful after sustaining an injury with England.
They are just 5 points ahead of United having played a game more; dropping points to Villa and Newcastle. The blues have yet to be tested by a ‘big 6’ team, but Haaland has been in sensational form.
Predicted starting XI:
Ederson
Walker, Akanji, Dias, Cancelo
De Bruyne, Rodri, Silva
Foden, Haaland, Grealish
Time for heroes
If there was ever a stage for Marcus Rashford to announce to the world that he fully is back to his best, it is at the Etihad on Sunday. Marcus has recently shown flashes of his best form, and what better way to cement himself into Ten Hag’s future plans by delivering on the biggest stage, against the best team in the league?
We all know Marcus has the talent in his locker.
How good would it be to see start for United, run the City defence ragged and smash in a goal or two à la 2012 Wayne Rooney or 2018 Paul Pogba? We can dream…
United must stop Haaland
Easier said than done. The 6’5, stocky, pacy, skilful number 9 has been prolific so far this season; with 11 goals in 7 Premier League games.
Varane, Martinez and David de Gea will have to be at their absolute best to keep Haaland out. He tends to take up awkward positions between centre halves and full backs, and is big enough to bully most defenders in the air.
Communication and positioning will be critical for United’s defence, and it would do us no harm to get into Haaland right from the start, and let him know that he’s in for a physical battle. Step forward the ‘Butcher of Manchester’!
Cometh the hour…
Scott McTominay has been excellent since the Brentford debacle, but we’re tipping Casemiro to make the starting 11 – just.
The Brazilian has much more big game experience than McTominay, and is a better player at his best. In the last couple of games he’s shown signs of starting to click with the Ten Hag system, and his physicality, tackling, positioning and determination are just what we need against a quality Manchester City side.
The good news is – at last – United have two viable options for the CDM position, after crying out for quality here for years. Let’s hope Scott continues in his rich vein of form and improves even more under Ten Hag. Giving 5-time Champions League winner Casemiro competition for his place in the team is no mean feat.
Prediction
It’s hard to be objective about a game we’re so emotionally invested in, but we’ll try.
Manchester City are clear favourites, but they’re not unbeatable. If United continue their recent run of form, get at City from the start, keep Haaland quiet and play well, there is no reason they can’t come away from the Etihad with a result; maybe even a win.
We’re going with ‘optimistically objective’, and predicting a draw: 2-2.