Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba celebrates scoring against Manchester City
Paul Pogba will not be joining Manchester City (Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Manchester United are back in Premier League action this weekend following Thursday night’s Europa League victory over Viktoria Plzen.
However, Ruben Amorim will hope his side can avoid a third consecutive defeat in the league when they take on bitter rivals Manchester City at the Etihad. After beating Everton at the start of the month, United suffered back-to-back losses against Arsenal and Nottingham Forest.
Although, City themselves are suffering a poor run of form with just one win in their last 10 games across all competitions. Midweek, they were comfortably beaten 2-0 by Serie A giants Juventus in the Champions League, and will be desperate to avoid another embarrassing defeat on Sunday.
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Ahead of the crucial fixture in M11, the Manchester Evening News takes a look at the latest news around the club.
Pogba reality
Manchester City are not considering a move to sign Paul Pogba despite reports suggesting that he has been sounded out. Contrary to claims that the ex-United midfielder has been identified as a player to add steel and experience to Guardiola's side, it is understood that there is no such interest.
Pogba is currently a free agent having seen his contract terminated at Juventus last month. The 31-year-old is looking to find a new club ahead of his return to football in March 2025.
United themselves had been tipped to make a shock play at bringing Pogba in for a third time but that looks incredibly unlikely. City had been described as admirers of Pogba whilst he was at Old Trafford.
It was written that Pogba had been reluctant to entertain moving back to Manchester regardless. That is not going to be a problem for him, though, with City not part of the race to bring him in.
MEN Sport says: Well this just isn't a surprise on any level, is it? Even if Pogba didn't leave United on the best of terms it would always have been a show of disrespect to join City, and besides, on a sporting level there is no sense either.
City's midfield lacks energy and youth. Pogba brings extreme technical ability - although nobody is quite sure at what level that will be upon his return - but he has never been the best defensive cover. Guardiola needs that more than ever right now.
He isn't the metronome that Rodri has proven to be either. There were never any legs to this and it's no shock that City won't be adding Pogba to their ranks.
Manchester derby prediction
Chris Sutton has backed Manchester City to win the derby despite their terrible recent form. Pep Guardiola has overseen just one victory in the last six weeks while under Ruben Amorim, Man United will be looking to build on a midweek triumph in Europe having lost their last two Premier League games.
Despite making it clear both teams are not exactly playing very well, Sutton is backing a home win. In his BBC Sport predictions column, he wrote: "The wheels have really come off at Manchester City now - who saw that coming?
"City just cannot keep a clean sheet - they have managed one in their past 10 games - and now their manager Pep Guardiola is talking about being tired. I know it was in the context of him not having enough energy to go to another club and starting again there, but it must have sent a message to his current players too.
"Amorim beat City 4-1 in his final game in charge of Sporting before he came to Old Trafford which got United fans very excited, but they have soon realised whenever they have played anyone half-decent that they are the same team that were struggling under Erik ten Hag.
"Basically, both teams have been really bad, so what on earth do I go for here? So, I am going to go with City to win at home and maybe rejuvenate Pep before Christmas.
Sutton's prediction: 3-1
MEN Sport says: Though City are really struggling to pick up wins consistently, they are still the favourites for today's Manchester derby for obvious reasons.
One of those is certainly because Etihad Stadium is hosting the clash while Guardiola has also overseen seven wins from a possible nine against United since late 2021. Regardless of the fact Amorim is now in charge, United have also significantly struggled against fellow 'big six' opposition.
A defeat for United when their rivals are offering such a rare opportunity, in recent years at least, for them to claim a win on their own turf would surely be the nightmare for Amorim and his players. If there is any time to beat City on their own patch, that time is now.
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