The Manchester derby
This weekend is the clash of Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on Sunday 29th October 2023. Michael Owen scored a famous late goal in injury time as Man United won 4-3 against Man City in 2009. There has been a couple of classic results in this game over the years with Man City beating Man United 6-1 in 2011. Man City have dominated this game over the last 10 years but Man United achieved wins both in 2020 and 2023. This is the biggest game in Manchester as you are either red or blue and it’s one of the highlights throughout the world in the sporting calendar.
A lot has happened in the world of Manchester United since beating Man City at Old Trafford in January. The Summer was busy for Man United as they made some good signings but said goodbye to 2022/2023 Golden Glove winner David De Gea. The off-field issues became bigger as the start of the season got nearer as Mason Greenwood’s career at Old Trafford came to an end. The mess continued as Man United manager Erik Ten Hag had a stand off with Jadon Sancho and it looks like the English winger will move on in the January transfer window.
On the field Man United were lucky to win against both Wolves & Nottingham Forest but lost to top four rivals Tottenham Hotspur & Arsenal. Out of the first eight games in the 2023/2024 Premier League season Man United only achieved four wins. Due to the amount of injuries Ten Hag was forced to bring both Scott McTominay and Harry Maguire back into the starting line-up which is a mad turn around as both nearly left Old Trafford in the Summer. Man United achieved narrow wins in their last two games against Sheffield United and Brentford but both performances were very poor. Man United nearly said goodbye to their Champions League campaign until Andre Onana made a penalty save in injury time.
Man City haven’t hit the heights of last season but are only five points off leaders Tottenham Hotspur. Pep Guardiola has been without his star player Kevin De Bruyne for the majority of the season. Man City are adjusting to life after their captain Ilkay Gundogen left in the Summer for Barcelona. Their last performance away from home against Arsenal was very defensive which resulted in losing one nil. It looks like Guardiola hasn’t settled on his best team this season but the frightening thing is that Man City are capable of going on a big winning run at any time throughout the season.
Man City like playing at Old Trafford due to the pitch been big and they love to keep the ball. Rodri will have a big role in this game and is arguably one of the best players in the world. Man United will defend deep and play on the counter attack through the pace of their wingers. If the home side are looking to play on the counter attack they need a big performance out of Marcus Rashford who has been poor this season.
Form goes out the window when it comes to a derby match. With Man City been five points behind Spurs this is a game that they need to win. Ten Hag is under huge pressure and a positive result could be huge for his future as Man United manager. Man United need a big performance and have to be competitive but the best I will be hoping for is a draw. Hope you enjoy the Manchester derby.