The 188th Manchester derby will take place on Sunday at the Etihad between Manchester City and Manchester United. We cover the crucial battles prior to the significant Premier League match. Before their first matchup of the season, champions City and United are separated by five points, although Erik ten Hag’s team has a game in hand. City has played seven games so far this season, winning five and drawing two, for a total of 17 points. United has won their last four games after dropping their first two, giving them 12 points after six games.
Getty Images / Manchester United / Ash Donelon / Contributor
More than any other team in the Premier League, City has scored 23 goals so far this year. Nearly half of those goals were scored by Erling Haaland (11). The 22-year-old, who joined from Borussia Dortmund and has scored 14 goals in all competitions, will probably face Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez on Sunday. The new center-back duo for Manchester United has been crucial to their recent mini-revival, but playing the world’s most productive No. 9 right now is the toughest test in sport.
Without Haaland, City won the league last season by scoring 99 goals in the process. Back in March, they hammered United for four in the last derby. However, a lot has changed at Old Trafford seven months later. The advent of a new manager and new players has given the red side of Manchester new energy, and a run of four straight victories following a catastrophic start to the season has changed the atmosphere at the club. Varane and Martinez are the foundation of United’s defense, therefore it’s no accident that the team has suddenly improved.
Jadon Sancho is a different player who gains from playing with Ten Hag. The winger was an integral member of a dynamic front line throughout preseason, and he has continued his strong play into the current season. In eight games this season, he has scored three goals. Last semester, it had taken him 24 games to complete that. The upcoming Manchester Derby will be a treat to watch for the football lovers.