Manchester City – Manchester United
Our Man City – Man United prediction is: Man City to win – 1.58 odds
- The last PL duel was won by City 3:1
- City won five of their seven PL home games
- United only won one of their seven PL away games
The Manchester derby is one of the most prestigious duels in English football. When Manchester City and Manchester United meet, it is not only the local rivalry that is at the center of attention, but often decisive points in the race for titles and table positions. While City has impressed with their dominance in recent years, United can look back on a glorious past and is trying to find its feet again under new coach Ruben Amorim. Find out who will come out on top in the Manchester derby in our Man City v Man United prediction.
Man City are currently struggling with inconsistent form. The Sky Blues lost 2-0 to Juventus in the Champions League during the week – their sixth defeat in their last seven away games. Their only point away from home came in the last Premier League game, a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace. However, the upcoming clash will be at home, where City have continued to perform strongly, suffering only one defeat in seven league games. They are currently in fourth place in the table, with 27 points, just four points behind second-placed Chelsea.
United, on the other hand, have only won one of their seven league away games, including a recent 2-0 loss to Arsenal. In the Europa League, however, they won 2-1 in Pilsen, securing their third consecutive Europa League victory and their first Europa League away victory. In the league, they lost 3-2 to Nottingham on the last matchday. This means that they are currently in 13th place in the table with 19 points. We can look forward to seeing who comes out on top in this derby.
Man City – Man United Info
- Date & Time: 15.12.2024, 17:30
- Stadium: Etihad Stadium, Manchester
- Competition: Premier League, match day 16
- Broadcast/livestream: SKY
Man City Form & Record Check
Manchester City have won five of their last six Premier League games against Manchester United (one draw). This means they have recorded more wins than in the previous thirteen matches, in which they won four, drew three and lost six. At home, City have won their last three Premier League games against United, scoring thirteen goals. Their last four straight league games against United at home were won between 1952 and 1955.
Nevertheless, City remain vulnerable defensively: in seven of their last 11 Premier League games, the team has conceded at least two goals (four wins, three draws, four defeats). That is how often it happened in their previous 62 league games combined.
Foden and Haaland strong against United
Erling Haaland has nine direct goal involvements (six goals, three assists) in his four previous Premier League appearances against the Red Devils. This is already the highest number of direct goal involvements by a City player against United in the Premier League.
Phil Foden has scored six goals in his last four Premier League derbies against United. Only Sergio Agüero (eight goals) has scored more goals for the Citizens against United in this competition.
Man City facts & analysis
- Five of the last six duels against United won
- In seven of their 11 PL matches, they have conceded at least two goals
- Haaland has scored nine goals in four PL games against United
Manchester United Form & Record Check
Manchester United have lost 20 Premier League games against Manchester City – only Arsenal (21) have suffered more defeats in this competition. United have lost the last three Premier League games away from home against the Citizens, but conceded an unusually high number of goals (13) in the process. The last time they lost four straight at the Etihad was between 1952 and 1955. United have now lost their last two Premier League games. The last time they lost three straight in a single season was in December 2015 under Louis van Gaal.
Ruben Amorim, United’s new manager, has never lost three consecutive league matches in his managerial career. The derby against City is his 172nd top-flight game (Primeira Liga and Premier League). Amorim has already beaten Manchester City this season: he led Sporting Lisbon to a 4-1 victory in the UEFA Champions League. Should he manage a victory with United, he would be only the second coach to beat the reigning Premier League champions with two different teams in one season – after Alan Pardew in the 2014/15 season (with Newcastle United and Crystal Palace against Man City).
Fernandes in form since Amorim’s arrival
Defensively, United remain vulnerable: 39% of their Premier League goals conceded in 2024 were conceded from corners (seven out of 18) – the highest percentage of any club. In 2024, they have already conceded 15 goals from corners, almost as many as in 2021 to 2023 combined (eight, four and six).
Offensively, Bruno Fernandes improved significantly after Erik ten Hag was fired. In his last six league appearances, he has been directly involved in six goals (three goals, three assists). He remains an asset against Manchester City: in his last six competitive games against City, Fernandes has been involved in five goals (two goals, three assists) and provided at least one assist in each of the last three games.
Man United facts & analysis
- Lost last three PL away games against City
- Amorim can become the second manager to beat City with two different teams in a season
- Fernandes involved in six goals in last six league games
Man City will line up again in the 4-2-3-1 system under the direction of Pep Guardiola. The Citizens will be hoping for another Haaland show after a few disappointing results recently.
We expect United to play in the 3-4-2-1 Amorim system again. It will be interesting to see if the Red Devils’ head coach can manage to win this season with two different teams against City.
Man City – Man United head to head & statistics
In 171 meetings between Manchester City and Manchester United, United have won 67 times, while City have managed 55 wins. 49 games ended in a draw. The goal difference is also close, with 246 goals for Manchester United and 239 for Manchester City. This tally includes 158 Premier League games, five FA Cup matches, six League Cup clashes and two English Super Cup meetings.
Head to head (H2H)
