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Manchester United – Manchester City
This weekend the Premier League is back in action. The 20th matchday is coming up in the English top flight. On Saturday, the big derby will take place in England’s third largest city. Manchester United and Manchester City will meet at Old Trafford. For both fan camps, this is the most important game of the year. Accordingly, the players will not lack motivation.
Manchester United have had a good season so far. In the league, the team of coach Erik ten Hag is in fourth place. The Red Devils have won the last four league games in a row. In addition, Man United is also still represented in all cup competitions. During the week, United won 3-0 against third division Charlton Athletic in the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup.
Pep Guardiola’s team is also playing good football again this season, but in the league the serial champions are currently only in second place and are already five points behind Arsenal. During the week, the Citizens also lost 2-0 in the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup to bottom of the Premier League Southampton FC. Find out if City can get back to winning ways in our Man United vs Man City betting tips.
Man United – Man City Info:
– Date & Time: 14/01/2023, 13:30.
– Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester
– Competition: Premier League, Matchday 20
– TV coverage: Sky
Man United Form & Balance Check
Manchester United have been English champions 20 times, won the FA Cup 12 times and also won the Champions League twice and the Europa League once. However, the last championship title was almost ten years ago. Manchester United last won the Premier League in the 2012/2013 season. This was also the last season with legendary coach Sir Alex Ferguson.
The fans of the Red Devils are longing to win the Premier League trophy again. However, it will probably not be possible to win the title again this year. Erik ten Haag’s team is in fourth place in the league after 17 games and is already nine points behind leaders Arsenal. Recently, however, the Red Devils have been getting better and better. United have won five of their last six Premier League games and are well on course for Champions League places.
Rashford the new Ronaldo?
Even before the World Cup began, it seemed obvious that Manchester United and Cristiano Ronaldo would part ways. The Portuguese superstar has not played a particularly big role for the Red Devils this season. In the first half of the season, Ronaldo only managed a single league goal. The Portuguese is now scoring for al-Nasr in Saudi Arabia.
This does not seem to have affected Manchester United’s game at all. In the first three league games after the World Cup break, United scored a total of seven goals and did not concede a single one. Marcus Rashford in particular seems to be benefiting from Ronaldo’s departure. The young Englishman has scored every time in the last three league games. Before that, Rashford scored only four goals in the first 15 games.
Man United facts & analysis
– 4th place in the Premier League.
– Won their last eight competitive games
– No competitive defeat since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo
Man City form & balance check
The Manchester City club was bought in September 2008 by an investment firm from Abu Dhabi for around 185 million euros. This was the beginning of a new era in the blue part of Manchester. The goal of the investors was to win the Champions League and regularly win the English championship. At least the latter City managed formidably in the past years. City won the Premier League in four of the last five seasons.
This season, however, the Citizen have fallen a little short of their expectations. Although Man City won their group in the Champions League and will now face RB Leipzig in the last 16, the Skyblues are only second in the league. League leaders Arsenal are already five points ahead of Pep Guardiola’s team. In addition, City surprisingly lost 2-0 to Southampton FC in the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup on Wednesday.
With possession to success
Coach Pep Guardiola’s style of play has been known for many years now. The Spaniard relies on many short passes and a high share of possession. This season, Manchester City once again have the highest ball possession in the Premier League. 66.3 per cent of the time, the Citizens have the ball in their own ranks.
And for the offensive, this tactic works flawlessly. Manchester City has the best attack in the entire Premier League. The Skyblues scored an outstanding 45 goals in 17 games. In nine games City even scored three or more goals. The league’s top scorer, of course, also plays in Man City’s ranks. Erling Haaland tops the goalscoring charts with 21 goals.
Man City facts & analysis
– Currently in second place in the Premier League.
– Only seven points from last four league games
– Champions for the past two seasons
Predicted line-up – last update on 13 January 2023
Manchester United have often played with a 4-2-3-1 of late, and coach Erik ten Hag will rotate in a few positions compared to their success against Charlton. Casemiro will clean up in front of the defence as a six and Rashford will provide a goal threat via the wings. Axel Tuanzebe and Donny van de Beek are injured and will not play.
Manchester City will again go into the game with a 4-3-3. Haaland will return in the forward line to keep United’s defenders busy. Rodri is the crucial player in front of the defence. No player is suspended or injured for City. Pep Guardiola has the entire squad at his disposal.
Man United – Man City direct comparison & Statistics
The stadiums of both teams are only about six kilometres apart and therefore there is a great rivalry between the two teams. Manchester United have long had the edge in the city duel, winning 55 of their 129 games against Manchester City. However, City won the first meeting this season spectacularly with 6:3.
– Man United have won only one of their last six competitive matches against Man City.
– Man United’s last home win against Man City on 08/03/2020.
– Man United have won nine home games in a row
– When Man City lead 1-0 in away games, they win 78% of matches
