Manchester Derby brings a unique sense of anticipation, but not for the usual reasons. For the first time since December 2020, Manchester City and Manchester United clash without either team sitting in the Premier League’s top three a stark contrast to the fierce title-chasing encounters of recent years.
The statistics paint a bleak picture. United’s 19 points after 15 matches mark their worst start in Premier League history, while City’s tally of 27 points is their lowest at this stage since the 2010/11 season. Together, their combined 46 points represent the poorest start for both clubs in over two decades, a record last seen in 2002.
Despite these struggles, the stakes remain sky-high. Pep Guardiola’s side is determined to reverse a disappointing run of form, while United, under Ruben Amorim’s fresh leadership, is desperate for a signature victory to reignite their campaign.
As the Etihad Stadium takes center stage, the question looms: which side will seize this opportunity for redemption?
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Manchester City vs Manchester United – Starting Position
For Manchester City, the sharp decline from a team that made history by winning four consecutive top-flight titles has been both shocking and unexpectedly swift.
Just seven weeks ago, Pep Guardiola’s side was undefeated in both the Premier League and UEFA Champions League, sitting comfortably atop the domestic table and third in Europe’s elite competition.
Since then, however, City has endured the most challenging period in Guardiola’s illustrious managerial career. Over their last 10 matches across all competitions, they have managed just one win, suffering seven losses a stark contrast for a team that had taken 105 matches to accumulate their previous seven defeats.
On the other side of Manchester, Ruben Amorim has faced his own uphill battle since taking charge of United last month. From the start, Amorim acknowledged the enormity of the task ahead, as the Red Devils embarked on a bold mid-season overhaul of tactics and strategy—a rare move for a club of this stature.
“The storm will come,” Amorim warned, even as initial results offered hope: wins over Everton and Bodo/Glimt and a draw at Ipswich Town extended United’s unbeaten streak to seven games following Erik ten Hag’s departure.
But the storm has arrived. Back-to-back Premier League losses to Arsenal and Nottingham Forest have tested the Portuguese coach’s resolve, though Thursday’s UEFA Europa League comeback victory at Viktoria Plzen, led by a brace from substitute Rasmus Højlund, provided a glimmer of positivity.
Even so, no Manchester United manager, whether permanent, interim, or caretaker, has endured a worse start to their Premier League tenure than Amorim.
Team News
Manchester City will be without Rico Lewis, who is suspended following his red card against Crystal Palace.
Manager Pep Guardiola faces a defensive crisis, with only three senior defenders available. He has hinted at the possibility of deploying midfielders in makeshift full-back or wing-back roles.
City will also be missing Rodri, Oscar Bobb, Nathan Ake, John Stones, and Manuel Akanji due to injuries. However, there’s some positive news, as Phil Foden and Mateo Kovacic, who returned to the squad in midweek against Juventus, could feature on Sunday.
For Manchester United, head coach Ruben Amorim has confirmed no new injury concerns. Jonny Evans has resumed training and could be in contention for selection, although Luke Shaw remains unavailable.
Manchester Derby – Facts and Stats
Head-to-Head
Manchester United have lost five of their last six Premier League meetings with Manchester City, including each of their last three visits to the Etihad Stadium.
The Red Devils have not suffered four consecutive league defeats away to City since 1955.
United have lost 20 Premier League games against Manchester City—only their 21 losses to Arsenal surpass this tally.
This will be the first league encounter between the two teams in four years where neither starts the day in the Premier League’s top three.
Manchester City
City have won just one of their last 10 matches in all competitions, suffering seven defeats—the same number they endured in their previous 105 fixtures combined.
Pep Guardiola’s side has conceded at least twice in seven of their last 11 league games, as many times as in their previous 62 matches.
The Blues have collected only four points from their last six Premier League outings, tied for the lowest in the league alongside Southampton ahead of this weekend’s fixtures.
City’s current tally of 27 points after 15 games is their lowest at this stage since the 2010 season. The last team to win the Premier League title with 27 points or fewer after 15 matches was Manchester United in 2002-03.
Erling Haaland has six goals and three assists in just four league matches against Manchester United.
Haaland’s six Premier League goals in Manchester derbies tie him with Phil Foden. Only Sergio Aguero (eight), Wayne Rooney (eight), and Eric Cantona (seven) have scored more.
Manchester United
United risk losing three consecutive Premier League matches for the first time since a four-game losing streak between May and August 2022.
They have conceded 39% of their Premier League goals this season from corners (seven out of 18), the highest proportion in the competition.
United’s 19 points from their first 15 games mark their lowest tally at this stage of a season since 1986, just two matches into Sir Alex Ferguson’s tenure.
A 3-0 win at Southampton in September remains United’s only victory in seven Premier League away games this season (D3, L3).
Harry Maguire is one appearance away from reaching 250 Premier League games.
Alejandro Garnacho could become the first United player to score in three consecutive Manchester derbies since Paul Scholes achieved the feat in the 2003-04 season.
Man City vs Man Utd – Derby Highlights
Man City vs Man Utd – Prediction
Despite their recent struggles, Manchester City remain favorites for this clash, with the Opta supercomputer giving them a 57% chance of victory.
Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United come into the game on the back of two consecutive Premier League defeats.
City have dominated the recent head-to-head record, winning five of their last six league encounters against their cross-city rivals.
You can see full stats and prediction from OPTA.
