Man City vs Man Utd LIVE: Premier League team news, line-ups as Erling Haaland and Marcus Rashford start

Fresh off the back of winning the Barclays Premier League Manager of the Month award for September, Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag takes his team to the Etihad Stadium for his first ever Manchester derby this afternoon.

Manchester City started the gameweek in second place, just one point behind league leaders Arsenal, but following the Gunners victory yesterday Pep Guardiola’s men will need to pick up three points just to maintain the pace with the London club. Luckily for City fans, Guardiola’s men are unbeaten in the league so far this term and most recently swept past Wolves with a 3-0 away win just before the international break putting them in fine touch for a Manchester derby.

Meanwhile, Ten Hag’s award win gives you an indication of how he’s managed to turnaround Manchester United’s own form. The Red Devils have won their last four league games in a row including a victory over Liverpool and beating Arsenal 3-1 in their last domestic outing. Yet City away is always a tricky affair and it will be the Dutchman’s finest victory so far if he can help United can pull it off.

Follow all the action from the Manchester derby:

Recommended



Can Ten Hag start with a win?

This will be Erik ten Hag’s first Manchester derby – each of the five United’s previous five managers have lost their opening league fixture against City, with Alex Ferguson the last to begin with a win in 1987.

Ten Hag won eight of his nine league and cup matches as Ajax manager against historic rivals Feyenoord – a match known as De Klassieker in the Netherlands.

Five in a row?

Manchester United could become the fourth team in English top-flight history to lose their opening two games then win their next five, emulating Sheffield United (1931), West Bromwich Albion (1954) and Arsenal (2018).

United last won five consecutive league matches in April 2021 under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Pep Guardiola predicts Man City will continue to thrive after he departs

Pep Guardiola has no doubt Manchester City will remain a force after he leaves the club.

The City manager has given no indication that will be any time soon, even though speculation over his future is likely to recur until he commits to a new contract.

The 51-year-old former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss is in the final year of his current deal at the Etihad Stadium.

There is no alarm about the situation at the club as Guardiola prefers shorter-term contracts and both of his previous two extensions have been signed at late stages.

Guardiola predicts Man City will continue to thrive after he departs

The 51-year-old former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss is in the final year of his current deal at the Etihad Stadium.

Man City vs Man Utd team changes

Pep Guardiola makes three changes to the Manchester City line-up with Kyle Walker and Nathan Ake slotting into the defence in place of John Stones and Ruben Dias.

Ilkay Gundogan is preferred in midfield with no Rodri in the squad.

Erik ten Hag names an unchanged Manchester United side with Marcus Rashford fit to start up top.

Man City vs Man Utd line-ups

Man City XI: Ederson, Walker, Akanji, Ake, Cancelo, Gundogan, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Foden, Haaland, Grealish

Man Utd XI: De Gea, Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Malacia, McTominay, Eriksen, Antony, Fernandes, Sancho, Rashford

Haaland excited for ‘special’ Manchester derby

Manchester City’s clinical striker, Erling Haaland, says he is excited to play his first every Manchester derby and wants to make the City supporters proud this afternoon.

“It means so much to all of the supporters and as a fan I know that,” he explained. “We want to make them proud on Sunday.

“We know it is going to be a tough game, but I am excited to play in this derby. It is another game, but I also know that derby games are so much more intense.

“These games mean everything to the fans. It is the first time I have played in the Manchester derby after watching so many on TV with my father and I cannot wait.

“It will be a special moment for me. I haven’t spoken to my father [former City midfielder Alf-Inge Haaland] about this game, but I know he will be in the stands watching.”

City rack up the goals

Manchester City could win eight consecutive top-flight home games whilst scoring at least three times in each victory – a feat last achieved by Tottenham in 1965.

City have scored 10 first-half goals and 13 second-half goals in the Premier League this season – Manchester United have eight in total.

In-form Christian Eriksen eagerly awaiting his first Manchester derby

Summer signing Christian Eriksen already feels at home at Manchester United and cannot wait for his first taste of the city’s derby this Sunday.

After a pair of postponements following the Queen’s death, Erik ten Hag’s side will make the short trip to neighbours Manchester City to play their first Premier League match since September 4.

It will be a maiden Manchester derby for United’s manager and players like Eriksen, who has flourished since joining on a deal until 2025 following the expiration of his short-term contract at Brentford.

In-form Christian Eriksen eagerly awaiting his first Manchester derby

Manchester United make the short trip to the Etihad on Sunday

It’s the Manchester derby day

This is one of the more intriguing Manchester derbies of recent times. Manchester City continue to be a dominant force of nature but Erik ten Hag finally has Manchester United winning again and he’ll want to continue that progress at the Etihad today.

Man City vs Man Utd

Manchester City could win three consecutive league games against United for the first time since a run of four between April 2013 and November 2014.

United are in danger of suffering their 18th Premier League loss against City – it would equal their highest number of defeats against a specific opponent (matching their totals against Liverpool and Chelsea).

This Premier League fixture has been won 21 times by the respective away side – no other match has produced more victories for the away team.

Register for free to continue reading

Registration is a free and easy way to support our truly independent journalism

By registering, you will also enjoy limited access to Premium articles, exclusive newsletters, commenting, and virtual events with our leading journalists

{{#verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}} {{^verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}}

By clicking ‘Create my account’ you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use, Cookie policy and Privacy notice.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy policy and Terms of service apply.

Already have an account? sign in

By clicking ‘Register’ you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use, Cookie policy and Privacy notice.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy policy and Terms of service apply.

Register for free to continue reading

Registration is a free and easy way to support our truly independent journalism

By registering, you will also enjoy limited access to Premium articles, exclusive newsletters, commenting, and virtual events with our leading journalists

{{#verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}} {{^verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}}

By clicking ‘Create my account’ you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use, Cookie policy and Privacy notice.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy policy and Terms of service apply.

Already have an account? sign in

By clicking ‘Register’ you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use, Cookie policy and Privacy notice.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy policy and Terms of service apply.

Source: Read Full Article