Man U vs. Man City
Venue: Old Trafford
Kick off: 5:30PM
Manchester United head into the 175th derby showdown with Manchester City trailing the league leaders by eight points in the Premier League table.
City make the short trip to Old Trafford having suffered their first defeat of the season against Shakhtar Donetsk, but Pep Guardiola will point to 13 successive wins in the top flight as reason why their Champions League setback was a minor blip.
United enjoyed their fair share of good fortune during the 3-1 victory over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium last weekend, but there is a growing feeling that Jose Mourinho’s team are starting to click into top gear during a crucial period of the season.
The result in North London came on the back of a 4-2 triumph at Watford and while Mourinho has developed a reputation for narrow wins and clean sheets, there will be a sense of relief that his recent claims about his side’s ambition on the pitch is being justified.
A concern will remain over the form of Romelu Lukaku – despite his goal against CSKA Moscow in midweek – and although getting back on the scoresheet for just the second time since September 30 is a positive, his all-round game will be tested against a team of City’s quality.
Today’s fixture takes place after United equalled their club record of going 40 matches unbeaten at Old Trafford in all competitions in midweek, and the occasion is perfect to set a new mark in style.
However, after three hard-fought wins in succession, it had appeared more likely that City were close to suffering their first defeat of the season and although that occurred against Shakhtar, Guardiola may feel that it is a weight lifted off his team’s shoulders.
With Gabriel Jesus and Sergio Aguero not necessarily firing on all cylinders in front of goal, much of City’s recent success has been earned from the boots of Raheem Sterling, with the winger scoring important goals in six of his last 10 outings.
David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne continue to put opportunities on a plate for their teammates, but it has been Sterling who has taken games by the scruff of the neck and it is the reason why he has emerged as City’s player of the season.
Guardiola will naturally hope that his side can register a 14th consecutive victory in the top flight, but more importance will be placed on ensuring that they maintain their unbeaten record in the league, which would coincide with City overcoming another step in their quest to becoming the new invincible of English football.
Man U possible starting lineup: De Gea, Lindelof, Smalling, Rojo, Valencia, Matic, Herrera, Young, Lingard, Rashford, Lukaku.
Man City possible starting lineup: Ederson, Danilo, Otamendi, Mangala, Walker, Fernandinho, D.Silva, De Bruyne, Sane, Sterling, Aguero.