Two of sport’s most bitter rivals clash tomorrow, as Manchester United visit the Etihad and hosts Manchester City for this seasons first Manchester derby at 9:00 am EST. With their last match going handily in favour of the Blues, United are looking to slow Pep Guardiola’s star studded side.
United’s new Manager Eric Ten Haag hopes to continue his run of tactical dominance against unsuspecting opponents across the Premier League in his short time. It will be interesting to see how Ten Haag opts, or shall I say attempts to slow down the defending league champions new prolific number 9, Erling Haaland.
Haaland has broken out in the Premier League this season statistically like nobody before. Recording 11 goals in his first 7 league games. Continuously giving opposing tacticians nightmares, it will be exciting to see if he can continue to live up to the hype in his first Manchester Derby.
As usual, a huge piece of news on the Red side of Manchester has been City’s inability to sell out their stadium for one of the biggest fixtures of the season, despite being less than a day from kick-off. If ever there was a way for Ten Haag to make an even bigger impression on the United faithful than he already has it would be scraping his 5th straight top-flight win against in-town rivals, in enemy territory.
Predicted XI’s
Manchester City (4-3-3):
Ederson, Walker, Akanji, Dias, Cancelo; Silva, Rodri, De Bruyne; Foden, Haaland, Grealish.
Manchester United (4-3-3):
De Gea, Dalot, Martinez, Varane, Malacia; Eriksen, McTominay, Fernandez; Antony, Rashford, Sancho.
Notably for City, Aymeric Laporte is set to make a timely return to the squad. As fellow center back John Stones suffered a tight hamstring and was removed from action while on international duty with England. Manuel Akanji is likely to fill in to begin tomorrows match due to Laporte’s extended absence.
United are expected to continue using their 11 that has garnered an abundance of domestic success of late. Despite making a blockbuster transfer move for Real Madrid star holding midfielder Casemiro, the United Gaffer has opted for MUFC academy boy Scott McTominay. Who has seemingly made a leap in effectiveness since last year’s woes.
(Photo: Wikipedia)