Manchester City meet Manchester United in a derby clash at the Etihad on Sunday, on the back of a horrendous run of form.
Pep Guardiola’s side have shockingly won just one, drawn two and lost seven of their last 10 fixtures in all competitions, to fall well behind Liverpool in the title race.
Even after that, they still sit nine places above Manchester United in the table, but the visitors will aim to capitalise on City’s current vulnerability.
Lift-off for Amorim?
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim
Ruben Amorim(Image credit: Getty Images)
Manchester United’s last three trips to the Etihad have ended in defeat – 3-1 last term, after previous 6-3 and 4-1 reverses – but former Red Devils defender Wes Brown hopes it might be different this time, under new boss Ruben Amorim.
“I’m not sure how this one is going to go – I mean, Man City are obviously going to be the underdog!” he joked.
Wes Brown, 2018
Wes Brown(Image credit: Getty Images)
“Will this be the lift off for Ruben’s revolution? It’s definitely an occasion where we could really turn it on.”
Amorim guided Sporting to a 4-1 win over Manchester City in the Champions League last month, before moving to Old Trafford.
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He’s won three, drawn one and lost two of six games in charge of Manchester United so far, after switching the team to a 3-4-3 formation.
The Portuguese boss has made several changes to his starting line-ups during his first few matches, as he’s got to know his players.
“Obviously, we would have been training a lot more, the players should be more familiar with what he wants now, so for this game, you never know,” Brown said, speaking in association with 10bet.
“I think Amorim might pick what he thinks is his best 11 for this game. He’s had a few weeks to look at his options and assess his players. It’s going to be very interesting.
Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim
Ruben Amorim(Image credit: Getty Images)
“I think City will be better for this one, but Amorim would have been watching their games and he will know where United can get at them.
“It’s a derby. Previously, I would have expected City to dominate the ball, but with the way they’re playing at the moment, you just don’t know.
“United have definitely got a chance to go there and win. City have been really sloppy lately. All the pressure is on City.”