Manchester United hosts Manchester City in the first Manchester derby of the season. Both sides have started the season indifferently and a win here would push them into the top four.
Manchester City
Manchester City registered back-to-back wins for the first time this season and come into the game beating Marseille in midweek. Pep Guardiola‘s side has had a tough start to the season having faced Liverpool, Tottenham and Arsenal already this season. Sergio Aguero has returned but is not expected to start. However, he can come off the bench and score goals. He had an immediate impact in their UEFA Champions League game against Marseille scoring in his first game back from his knee injury. The Spanish manager needs to use his best lineup in this game.
Especially defensively because Manchester United has many players who can score. It will be interesting to see who starts between Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling. English international is the more accomplished player but, Mahrez has been playing better lately. Kevin De Bruyne will be as important as ever, setting up his teammates. City has gotten five straight clean sheets but versus inferior teams. Ederson will need to play well after he was at fault for the Spurs defeat.
Manchester United
Manchester United are coming off a loss to RB Leipzig (3-2) and was subsequently knocked out of the Champions League. This season after a loss they typically bounce back with a win. Lately, they have gone down early in games and came back. The Southampton and West Ham games are examples. They cannot afford to get down 2-0 against their rivals. It did not help that Paul Pogba’s agent talked earlier this weekend on how Pogba wants to leave the club just before their Champions League game. It seems like almost every game Bruno Fernandes makes a penalty kick. They have multiple players who can score like Marcus Rashford, Mason Greenwood, Edinson Cavani and Anthony Martial. Martial and Cavani are doubts for the game but we will see if Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will rush either back. Their defence was bad in the Leipzig game and needs to be better in this game.
Manchester Derby Day Prediction
I see this game ending in a 2-2 draw because Manchester City has yet to beat a quality team in the Premier League and Aguero will not be starting. He is their striker and just has an instinct to score goals. This is the biggest game of the weekend.
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