Preview: Man City vs Man United – stats, team news, line-ups | OneFootball

Manchester City face Manchester United on Sunday aiming to maintain their momentum in the title race and potentially stunt their rivals’ hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.

The Cityzens are one point behind Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table and are preparing for a gruelling title run-in.

By contrast, Manchester United are still licking the wounds Fulham inflicted on them last week, with a 2-1 defeat ending their run of five consecutive wins.

City manager Pep Guardiola has his sights set on a fourth consecutive Premier League title, a feat no other manager has accomplished in English football.

Guardiola’s side started the season slowly but have been building momentum with the return of Erling Braut Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne bolstering the team.

The pair showed why they are possibly the most dangerous duo in world football as they demolished Luton Town in the FA Cup, with the Norwegian centre-forward netting five goals and De Bruyne assisting four.

United will be very wary of their threat, especially Haaland, who bagged two goals during the reverse fixture at Old Trafford in October.

The Red Devils will be without their own in-form striker, Rasmus Hojlund, who is out with an injury.

Despite his absence, manager Erik ten Hag will be keen to see his side produce a decent result as they look to stay within reach of a top-four spot.

This Manchester Derby promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams fighting for crucial points.

City are brimming with confidence and will look to exploit United’s vulnerabilities, while the Red Devils will be determined to prove their mettle against their fierce rivals.

Match Preview

City have gone unbeaten in 18 games across all competitions. The draw with Chelsea had halted their winning charge, but they responded like champions, clinching wins against Brentford and Bournemouth.

They are unbeaten in their last ten league games (W8, D2), with their last league defeat coming in December.

City’s home form makes matters more ominous for the Red Devils as they have scored in 54 successive home games. They can equal their record for most consecutive goals in home matches if they score on Sunday.

United have lost their last two matches at the Etihad Stadium, and City can inflict a third consecutive loss for the first time in the modern Premier League era to compound Ten Hag’s woes.

It could get ugly for United if they fail to address their abysmal pressing and defensive structure that allows opponents access to create chances at will. United have been porous all season, and they could face a serious assault if City click into gear.

Fulham had 17 shots in the 2-1 victory at Old Trafford, meaning United have now conceded 435 shots in the Premier League this season – only Sheffield United have conceded more.

However, Man United showed they can shut up shop on Wednesday when they blanked Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup to advance to the quarter-finals.

United were unbeaten in their previous five league games before Fulham defeated them and will hope they can bounce back this weekend. Their away form will give them the belief that they can cause an upset.

The three-time Champions League winners have a perfect away record in 2024, claiming six wins from six games on their travels. The away side usually comes out on top in this derby fixture – no Premier League game has seen more away victories.

Team News

Man City will be without England international Jack Grealish, and Josko Gvardiol is also doubtful. Other than that, they have a clean bill of health.

United have several injury concerns, most notably Hojlund. Anthony Martial and Mason Mount are out for the foreseeable future.

They have a mini-crisis in defence, with Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and Tyrell Malacia sidelined.

Manchester City’s potential starting line-up:

(4-3-3): Ederson; Kyle Walker, John Stones, Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake; Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva; Jeremy Doku, Erling Braut Haaland, Phil Foden.

Manchester United’s potential starting line-up:

(4-3-3): Andre Onana; Diogo Dalot, Victor Lindelof, Raphael Varane, Sofyan Amrabat; Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo, Bruno Fernandes; Alejandro Garnacho, Marcus Rashford, Antony.