Man City vs Man United - Premier League: Live score team news and updates as Manchester Derby takes

Fan prediction ‘Man City win 5-0’

Sifting through the comments on this post, I have come to a conclusion.

Everybody thinks that Manchester United are going to get battered.

Have they ever been this much of an underdog in the club’s history?

Game faces on

Is it too farfetched to say Manchester United are in with a shot today? I don’t think it is.

Yes, it is a very tough ask, but we have seen in the past that when a team are so heavily favourites, it doesn’t always work in their favour.

The United players looked deadly serious as they arrived at the Etihad, while Erik ten Hag looked in good spirits.

Does he know something we don’t?

Ian Ladyman prediction: ‘I will go 3-1 Manchester City….’

Ian Ladyman, Mail Sport Football Editor, at the Etihad Stadium:

All quiet inside the Etihad at the moment but it wont be for long.

Derby day is always derby day and as such Manchester United fans will travel across town in hope if not quite expectation.

The teams are in and it looks as though United manager Erik ten Hag has gone for some midfield security and the inclusion of Scott McTominay, Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro suggests it will be a 4-5-1 (or version of) for the visiting team.

In terms of individual match-ups, Phil Foden versus Victor Lindelof down the right side of City’s attack could be ‘interesting’. The last time I saw Lindelof at left-back was at Aston Villa two or three Sundays ago and he was absolutely terrible.

City’s line-up, meanwhile, is heavily influenced by the fact Wednesday’s Champions League game here against FC Copenhagen is pretty much a dead rubber. City lead 3-1 from the first leg and that has allowed Pep Guardiola to fill this team with first choice attacking players.

As for a prediction? United are being priced at 9-1 and 10-1 by some bookmakers to win this game and that speaks volumes.

I will go 3-1 Manchester City….

It’s prediction time!

What a game it is set up to be in Manchester.

My excitement is building by the second, I am itching to see which City and United turn up today.

Every man and his dog is backing City to knock over United with ease, but will it pan out that way?

What are your predictions? Comment on the post below!

‘United will be hoping not to suffer a similar defeat to the 6-3 at the Etihad last season’

Chris Wheeler, Mail Sport, has been taking in the atmosphere of this massive clash as the teams arrived.

Let’s hear his thoughts ahead of the big clash!

150 up for Bruno

Bruno Fernandes starts, which means the United captain is set to make his 150th Premier League appearance for the club.

In that time he has scored 47 goals and provided 38 assists, while ending 80 of those matches on the winning side – not a bad record.

However, Fernandes has failed to find the back of the net in his last 14 games in the Premier League – not such a good record.

United are going to need him at his very best today because when he is, there aren’t many better attacking midfielders in the league.

If he isn’t though, it could be a long afternoon for them…

A sea of blue

Manchester City have arrived and to some welcome!

The City fans are well up for this, they know how much it means.

As a player when you drive through a crowd like that it must fill you with so much motivation.

The adrenaline is well and truly pumping now.

‘United fans know Rashford’s their best chance of dealing City an unexpected blow’

Oliver Holt, Mail Sport Chief Sports Writer, at the Etihad Stadium:

Fans are starting to trickle into the Etihad but it’s hard to find any of them who think Manchester United have a chance. The bookmakers are with them, too.

For a game traditionally as fiercely contested as this, it is unusual to be able to get odds of 8-1 or better for a United win.

If there’s anyone who could help United upset those odds, it’s probably Marcus Rashford, or least last season’s version of him. United fans outside the ground have been expressing some disillusion with him but they also know he’s their best chance of dealing City an unexpected blow.

Manchester United line-up – Lindelof at left-back

Well, this is a starting XI that could line up in many different ways.

There is no orthodox striker for Manchester United as Rasmus Hojlund sits out the derby with injury.

Will Bruno Fernandes start in the front three, or will it be Scott McTominay?

Looking at that team it will take a monumental effort for them to get something from this game.

Manchester City starting XI – Doku starts

Oh Jack, you were so close to getting it bang on!

So, it is indeed Jeremy Doku who starts at left wing for Manchester City.

Both Erling Haaland and Kevin de Bruyne also start after their stunning performances at Luton in the FA Cup. Josko Gvardiol also returns to the bench after injury.

That is one frightening team.

Red Devils on enemy territory

Here they are, the underdogs.

As I said earlier, I’m not sure I will get used to saying that.

Who will Erik ten Hag select for this massive fixture?

Ready for battle

The atmosphere is building in Manchester.

When the whistle blows in just over you already know that the decibel levels are going to be high.

Derby Day atmospheres are always top-notch.

‘The biggest call for Pep Guardiola today is what he does out on the left wing’

Jack Gaughan, Mail Sport, at the Etihad Stadium:

A few selection dilemmas with City today (Walker or Akanji or both?) but the biggest call for Pep Guardiola today is what he does out on the left wing.

There’ve been calls for Mathues Nunes to start out there over Jeremy Doku in the absence of Jack Grealish. Or does he go with Phil Foden wide and opt for an extra passer in the central areas?

I’d probably be tempted to go with Ederson; Akanji, Stones, Dias, Ake; Rodri; Silva, De Bruyne, Foden, Doku; Haaland

But then I’m not paid the big money!

City’s derby day dominance at Old Trafford

Last time these two clashed in the Premier League, City were imperious, and United, well, they were dreadful.

It was a day United fans will not want to remember. City ruled supreme at Old Trafford without having to break a sweat. It really showed the gulf in class between the two teams.

Erling Haaland was his devastating self on that occasion, scoring a brace before Phil Foden finished off the Red Devils with 10 minutes left to play.

Has that gap closed in the months that have followed, or will it be de ja vu for United at the Etihad?

Phil Foden: ‘Growing up in the academy I understand what it means to the fans’

Phil Foden, speaking to Sky Sports pre-match:

It’s a special occasion, growing up in the academy I understood what it means to the fans to win a game like that, so it’s very special.

(Last year’s Manchester Derby) was good energy, we were believing, we were going into the game with good rhythm.

That feeling to score in a derby at the Etihad. To score that many goals so early settles the nerves. We knew straight away Haaland was going to score a lot of goals, we were all excited to play with him.

I think he heard me screaming for the ball, it’s a fantastic cross that he gave me.

It was 4-0 but (Pep) Guardiola still wasn’t happy with us, he thought we could do better. I expected Haaland to score goals but maybe not that many.

City fans’ top 10 derby day moments

The Manchester Derby has had its fair share of iconic moments.

Asahi Super Dry has released new research surveying 500 City fans, with one in five claiming they’d rather lose their phone than suffer defeat to rivals Manchester United.

They then also voted for their top 10 best moments from previous derbies, and there are some crackers in there. Very nostalgic.

I know you all want to look at the list, so here you go:

1. Haaland’s second goal in 6-3 win – Oct 2022

2. Aguero coming on as a sub and scoring an individual goal at Old Trafford 3-0 win – 2013

3. Mario Balotelli stole the headlines in an emphatic 6-1 City win – 2011

4. Foden’s first goal in 6-3 win – Oct 2022

5. Fernandinho with a low shot from 20 yards in League Cup at Old Trafford – 2021

6. Denis Law’s outrageous back-heel at Old Trafford helped to relegate the Reds – 1974

7. Ilkay Gundogan volley 1st min FA Cup final – 2023

8. Yaya Toure winner at Wembley FA Cup SF – 2011

9. Kompany header v United 2012 to go top with two games to go

10. Edin Dzeko scores a sixth at Old Trafford and holds five + 1 on his fingers – Oct 2011

There are some interesting ones there, maybe some recency bias coming in? But, there are some great moments in there that City fans are fond of.

I wonder what Manchester United’s list would be.

Marcus Rashford’s name has been doing the rounds in the past week.

That is because the Manchester United forward published a passionate piece on the Players’ Tribute platform on Thursday.

In the article, Rashford shared his belief that people have it in for him.

Ian Ladyman, Mail Sport Football Editor, believes that the essay can come across as an excuse.

Read what Ian Ladyman had to say, here:

How is everybody feeling?

When it’s derby day nerves certainly get jangling.

I have seen friends and family literally shaking when their team is involved in a derby – the emotions are heightened significantly.

Delight, despair, you can feel it all.

So, calling all fans of both City and United, how are you diddling?

Head-to-head

City and United met for the first time in 1881, so you can say that the derby has been running for a while…

United were a dominant force for such a long time, but City have swung the pendulum in their direction over the past decade and more.

In the nine meetings between the sides since the 2020-21 season, it is clear to see who the better side has been.

United did grab a win over the treble-winners last season though, so it is not completely out of the question they could spring a surprise.

What happened yesterday?

A better question would probably be, what didn’t happen yesterday?

It was another chaotic Saturday of Premier League action, I should be getting used to them by now, but there seems to be more and more carnage with every passing week. It’s brilliant.

Liverpool hit the headlines once again as Darwin Nunez netted a 99th-minute winner away at Nottingham Forest to keep them in control of the title race. It was the latest any Liverpool side has scored a winning goal in a league game. Box office.

Tottenham produced a late turnaround to topple Crystal Palace, while we saw both the best and worst of Chelsea as they drew 2-2 away at Brentford.

There was another late winner involving a side from Liverpool, but it did not go the way of Everton, as West Ham left it late to win at Goodison Park. The other two games were not as drama-filled, as both Newcastle and Fulham ran away 3-0 winners against Wolves and Brighton respectively.

Let’s not forget the late kick-off either, Aston Villa survived a second-half fightback from Luton Town as Lucas Digne netted an 89-minute header to steal all three points. Another incredible match.

As you can tell, it was goals galore, most of them late!

In the red corner

Yes, the boxing puns are still going, and the red corner of Manchester United will be looking to land a knockout blow at the Etihad.

United and the word underdog rarely go in the same sentence, but there is no better way to describe them going into this match.

Does that take the pressure off though? Nobody is expecting them to come away with the three points and maybe that will allow them to play with the freedom they need to make an impact.

However, they will have to play a million times better than they did against Fulham last week. The 2-1 home loss to the Londoners was their first defeat of 2024.

United currently sit sixth on 44 points, 11 behind Aston Villa who occupy the final Champions League spot. That’s a big margin to make up, so if they want to give it a crack, winning today will help them hugely.

In the blue corner

When you’re reading this post, just imagine it’s being said in the voice of Michael Buffer. It will build up the suspense, trust me.

Fighting out of the blue corner today, we have Manchester City.

As I have already stated, the Citizens are big favourites for this Manchester derby, and even if they’re not top as it stands, the Premier League title.

Pep Guardiola has built a juggernaut of a team that always finds a way to win. They have won five out of the last six league titles, achieved the treble last season, and are still fighting on three fronts this campaign.

However, they are currently embroiled in one of the greatest title races we have seen in a while. They are not just fighting Liverpool for the Premier League, but Arsenal too and they cannot afford to slip up.

Sitting in second place on 59 points, four adrift of leaders Liverpool – whom they play next weekend at Anfield – and one clear of the Gunners in third.

Although they are expected to win big against United today, remember, it’s a derby – they are never simple.

It’s derby day!

Manchester will stand still at 3.30pm to watch its two gigantic clubs face off in a match of epic proportions.

It’s a tale as old as time, a derby that separates families. It’s blue vs red, it’s Manchester City vs Manchester United.

The fact of the matter is that City come into this match as huge favourites, but as we know in football, it’s not played on paper.

United could make a huge impact on the title race, and both Liverpool and Arsenal fans will be cheering them on like they’re their own team. I’m guessing that will feel strange to Reds fans.

Which side of Manchester will be celebrating come 5.30pm?

• Ian Ladyman prediction: ‘I will go 3-1 Manchester City….’

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• Manchester United line-up – Lindelof at left-back

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• Manchester City starting XI – Doku starts

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• It’s derby day!

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