Saturday’s Premier League action gets underway at Old Trafford as Manchester United and Manchester City go head-to-head in the latest edition of the iconic Manchester derby.
Newly appointed manager Michael Carrick faces a baptism of fire as he returns to the Theatre of Dreams to pick up the slack following Ruben Amorim’s underwhelming 13-month tenure.
The former midfielder couldn’t have imagined a more challenging task in his first game in charge as the Red Devils seek a way out of a dismal four-game winless run, bookended by last week’s FA Cup exit.
Brighton & Hove Albion won 2-1 at Old Trafford last Sunday, prompting United to wave goodbye to caretaker boss Darren Fletcher after going winless in both matches under his stewardship (D1, L1).
Priced at 5/2 to bounce back and avenge a humiliating 3-0 defeat in September’s reverse fixture, Man Utd enter Saturday’s derby as clear underdogs despite the change in the dugout.
It’s little wonder that Man City head into proceedings as 1/1 favourites to claim the city’s bragging rights and maintain pressure on table-topping Arsenal.
Pep Guardiola’s charges claimed a morale-boosting 2-0 win over Newcastle United in midweek EFL Cup action, building on a 10-1 rout of lower-league Exeter City in last weekend’s FA Cup tie.
Ominous trend
Man Utd have only won one of their last six home meetings with Man City across all competitions (D2, L3), courtesy of a 2-1 league triumph in January 2023.
However, they have since gone two consecutive clashes against their bitter rivals without scoring at the Theatre of Dreams (D1, L1), including a scoreless draw in this corresponding fixture last term.
According to The Sun, the Red Devils are staring down the barrel of an unwanted piece of club history, as they could fail to score in three straight home games against City for the first time in 126 years.
The last time this happened dates back to the early 20th century, when they endured a four-game scoreless run between December 1911 and September 1914.
United’s recent form on home turf can hardly inspire confidence here, considering they have emerged victorious from only one of their six outings at Old Trafford (D3, L2).
Under-pressure visitors
Three successive Premier League draws have cast major doubt on Man City’s hopes of overtaking Arsenal at the table’s summit, extending the gap between the sides to six points.
Despite enjoying a 13-game unbeaten streak in all competitions (W10, D3), Guardiola’s side dropped four points from winning positions in their last two league games.
Another failed attempt to get into the win column could spell the end of Man City’s title quest, but the visitors can take heart from their impressive run of five wins from their last six away matches (D1).
Further confidence stems from the fact that no team in Premier League history has beaten Man Utd more often at Old Trafford than the Cityzens (nine).
City’s bid to hit double digits is likely to hinge on the leading Premier League goalscorer, Erling Haaland, who boasts more goal contributions in this fixture than any other Man City player (G8, A3).
Prediction
Form and history often take a backseat when it comes to these types of matches, which could play in Man Utd’s favour, given the Red Devils’ recent performances.
Instead, it may come down to energy and desire, things Carrick has introduced into the camp this week, according to former captain Harry Maguire.
There’s no doubt that the hosts will do everything to avoid another embarrassment here, with the famous ‘new manager bounce’ offering United a timely lift on derby day.
Despite experiencing contrasting fortunes in the bulid-up to this showdown, Man Utd could upset the odds if they harness the renewed energy and belief sparked by Carrick’s arrival.
Prediction: Man Utd 2-1 Man City