United Beyond Manchester

Manchester United and Manchester City will meet for the 192nd time on Sunday at the Etihad. Manchester United leads the all-time series with 78 wins to City’s 60. Can either team add to their win total?

Historical Highlight

The Derby in September 2009 was an instant classic. Manchester United kept scoring to take the lead, only for City to level each time. Wayne Rooney’s 2nd-minute goal was answered by Gareth Barry. Darren Fletcher’s 49th-minute goal was answered by Craig Bellamy. Fletcher and Bellamy traded goals again, and the match was 3-3 heading into stoppage time.

In the 6th minute of stoppage time, a cleared header from a City defender dropped to the feet of Ryan Giggs. Giggsy picked his head up and played an inch-perfect ball to Michael Owen, who poked the ball home to provide United with the winner. Manchester United won 4-3 for the fifth win in six games to start the season.

Current Form

Manchester United picked up a win at Nottingham Forest on Wednesday after a poor showing against Fulham. While the performance wasn’t pretty, United kept Forest out and grabbed a late winner to advance to the Quarterfinals. Manchester United will need to put in a better effort to take points at the Etihad.

Manchester City is coming off a rampant display where Erling Haaland had five goals and Kevin De Bruyne had four assists. Those two performances resulted in a 6-2 dismantling of Luton Town in the FA Cup.

The Cityzens are one point off of Liverpool at the top of the table and one point above Arsenal in what is shaping up to be a tight battle for the title.

Team News

Manchester United’s injury report is lengthy and will cause Erik Ten Hag to do some reshuffling. Harry Maguire was added to the injury list this week after another spell in the starting eleven. Rasmus Hojlund is also out after picking up a muscle injury before the Fulham match.

Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Mason Mount, Tyrell Malacia, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and Anthony Martial remain out with long-term injuries.

On the City side, Pep Guardiola will only be without two senior players. Josko Gvardiol is recovering from an ankle ligament tear but will not be available for Sunday’s match. Jack Grealish picked up a groin injury in Tuesday’s win over Luton Town and will not be able to play a part this weekend.

Predicted Starting XI

GK: Andre Onana

Defenders: Victor Lindelof, Jonny Evans, Raphael Varane, Diogo Dalot

Midfielders: Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo, Bruno Fernandes

Attackers: Alejandro Garnacho, Antony, Marcus Rashford

Match Prediction

With the mounting injury list, Manchester United will manage a draw at the Etihad on Sunday in a 3-3 thriller. After scoring five goals on Tuesday, Haaland will have two more at home, and Rodri will add another. United will score three through Marcus Rashford, Antony, and Casemiro. The importance of the situation will not be lost on the players, and United will put forth a good effort.

One Bold Prediction

Antony will score his first goal of the season. After a lengthy period without playing much, Antony had a positive performance against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday. He will build off that performance and score one before being replaced by Amad late.

Drop your score predictions and lineups in the comments!