Sunday’s derby sees the 2 halves of Manchester meet in differing moods.
Whereas the controversy rages on over what color the town is, there’s little doubt Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering Manchester Metropolis aspect method the weekend’s tie as agency favourites in opposition to Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United.
The Pink Devils have as soon as once more been handed a prolonged damage listing and may take little solace from their current file in opposition to the Cityzens. Man Utd have received simply one of many final 5 conferences with Metropolis, struggling heavy losses and Wembley heartbreak in recent times.
Here is how the final 5 video games between the native rivals have panned out.
The build-up to the newest assembly between the 2 Manchester giants largely targeted across the passing of the late Sir Bobby Charlton. The England World Cup winner performed in 25 Manchester derbies, scoring eight targets.
This October fixture proved to be Erling Haaland’s goalscoring stage because the Cityzens marched to a convincing victory with little subject at Outdated Trafford.
Rasmus Hojlund was penalised for handball within the midst of his barren streak within the Premier League, permitting his fellow Scandinavian to open the scoring. Haaland nodded in a second earlier than helping Phil Foden to complete off a simple victory.
The run-in in the course of the 2022/23 season proved to be all about Man Metropolis.
Guardiola’s aspect had already wrapped up the Premier League title by the point they met their native rivals within the FA Cup ultimate and it seemed like it could be one other procession in favour of the blue half of Manchester when Ilkay Gundogan scored the quickest purpose within the competitors’s historical past of finals with solely 12 seconds on the clock.
Man Utd stayed within the contest and took their probability to stage when Jack Grealish was penalised for handball within the field. Bruno Fernandes despatched Stefan Ortega the incorrect option to equalise in opposition to the run of play, however the finally decisive blow would arrive within the 51st minute, once more from Gundogan.
The German midfielder did not catch his volley too cleanly however was aided by a ropy tried save from David de Gea in what proved to be the Spaniard’s ultimate sport for the Pink Devils.
Man Metropolis hadn’t clicked into their mechanical greatest by January 2023, with their hopes of Premier League title glory fading as Arsenal eyed up a primary championship since 2003/04.
This Manchester derby defeat did not support their trigger, although there was a smidge of controversy in regards to the Pink Devils’ dramatic comeback within the closing phases.
Grealish had opened the scoring within the second half three minutes after his introduction in its place, however Fernandes levelled proceedings regardless of Marcus Rashford showing to intrude from an offside place. It was the native lad who settled the match as he swept in Alejandro Garnacho’s cross to shut the hole on Metropolis to only one level.
90min Man Utd WhatsApp channel
Trying to maintain updated with all the pieces taking place at Outdated Trafford? Click on this hyperlink or scan the QR code under to observe 90min’s Man Utd WhatsApp channel and activate notifications to obtain all the newest information!
Haaland’s first style of the Manchester derby proved to be a scrumptious one for Man Metropolis followers, however he wasn’t alone in netting a hat-trick throughout this demolition in October 2022.
The Norwegian and Foden each netted braces within the first half earlier than Man Utd wakened considerably, Antony firing in to make it 4-1. Nevertheless, the aforementioned Metropolis duo every bagged once more to finish their trebles earlier than Anthony Martial scored a late double to make the scoreboard the slightest bit extra respectable.
Man Utd have been in true free-fall mode below interim supervisor Ralf Rangnick once they visited the Etihad in March 2022.
Key gamers have been absent for the abject Pink Devils, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Edinson Cavani and Luke Shaw amongst these dominated out. Nevertheless, there was a modicum of optimism when Jadon Sancho equalised after Kevin De Bruyne’s fifth-minute opener.
The hole in high quality between the title chasers quickly informed as De Bruyne put Metropolis again forward earlier than Riyad Mahrez’s second-half brace topped up a dominant scoreline.
