Its Super Sunday, its the Manchester Derby Day, its Man city vs Man utd!. The Etihad will host of the 50th Premier league meeting between these sides. Three places and 19 points separate the two bitter rivals in the table, with the hosts seeking to steer clear of Liverpool at the top while the Red Devils aim to re-ignite their top-four pursuit.
Referee: Michael Oliver
Assistants: Simon Bennett, Scott Ledger
Fourth official: Andy Madley.
VAR: Stuart Attwell.
Assistant VAR: Darren Cann.
MANCHESTER CITY
With Liverpool hot on the heels of the premier league leaders, this city sides must be on their highest gear today against their bitter neighbours at the Etihad. Last week, it was an inexplicable VAR decision against Everton at Goodison Park who were somehow not awarded a penalty when the ball struck Rodri’s arm inside the area that helped them get all three points in that game.
A lapse of concentration from Michael Keane at the other end of the field allowed Phil Foden to prod home the game’s only goal eight minutes from time, but Everton were reportedly apologised to by PGMOL chief Mike Riley after VAR official Chris Kavanagh saw nothing wrong with the Rodri incident.
However, champions certainly have to win ugly on a couple of occasions, and City have seemingly mastered the art of doing so, but they strolled to a 2-0 FA Cup fifth-round win over Peterborough United earlier this week to set up a quarter-final showdown with Southampton.
However, the champions have unsurprisingly scored a joint-high 36 goals in the Premier League at home this term and have shipped a mere nine – winning seven in a row at the Etihad before that shock defeat to Spurs – and Man United’s clinical edge was simply non-existent last time out. Its Derby day and form is usually thrown out of the window, but be assured the citizens they have their eyes set on the win when the red devils come visiting.
Manchester City possible starting lineup:
Ederson; Walker, Stones, Laporte, Cancelo; Silva, Rodri, De Bruyne; Mahrez, Foden, Sterling
MANCHESTER UNITED
:focal(1274x297:1276x295)/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2021/12/16/3272860-66974468-2560-1440.jpg)
Man United have something of a penchant for Etihad victories and possess the talent needed to produce another shock result here, but whether Rangnick’s side have the defensive nous or attacking edge to do so is another question entirely.
A draw with Atletico Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano can be viewed as a successful result, but a 0-0 at home to the 19th-placed Hornets did not help Man United’s top-four endeavours whatsoever, and the chasing pack are now closing in.
The Red Devils are just about clinging onto fourth spot but find themselves level on points with West Ham United – who lost to Liverpool on Saturday – while Arsenal have now cut the gap to just two points having played three fewer matches.
City cruised to a 2-0 win over United earlier in the season, but the Red Devils are no stranger to turning up the heat at the Etihad and have won four of their last five in all competitions on their rivals’ turf, but such a record will count for nought if they cannot find their best shooting boots.
Ronaldo won’t be on hand to lead the line in attack, and also with Cavani also ruled out, the onus lies on the younger guns in Rashford, Sancho and Elanga to do the business in attack, even though United are still waiting for their first away Premier League clean sheet of 2022.
Manchester United possible starting lineup:
De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Varane, Telles; Pogba, McTominay; Elanga, Fernandes, Sancho; Rashford
MANCHESTER DERBY STATS
Get the stats for the remaining match week 28 fixtures HERE
Share: 
