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Manchester United-Manchester City Preview: Derby Day

By J.C. Gonzalez

Manchester City's English midfielder Raheem Sterling controls the ball during the UEFA Champions League 1st round day 6 group C football match between Manchester City and Marseille at t he Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on December 9, 2020. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Manchester City's English midfielder Raheem Sterling controls the ball during the UEFA Champions League 1st round day 6 group C football match between Manchester City and Marseille at t he Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on December 9, 2020. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images) /
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The season’s first Manchester Derby will take place at Old Trafford in one of the biggest matches of the year for both sides.

Manchester City face local rivals United in a crucial Premier League match. The Citizens have faltered in matches against the top six this year, dropping points against title contenders Liverpool and Tottenham. With United fresh off a nightmare Champions League exit on the back of a 3-2 defeat to RB Leipzig, they will be putting everything toward a Derby win.

City have climbed to seventh in the table, one point off United in sixth, with both sides having played 10 games. The Red Devils had City’s number last year, beating them three times, but have once again looked erratic under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Nevertheless, with the Norwegian’s job on the line, his side have performed admirably in big games in the past, and he faces significant pressure in this match after dropping to the Europa League.

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The Citizens must improve their performance both against United and against top opposition, which has been poor to start the season. City comfortably walked through an easy Champions League draw, and have yet to be truly tested in Europe like United have against finalists and semi-finalists from last year’s competition in the form of PSG and Leipzig.

This is an absolutely massive game for both sides due to the history and local bragging rights, but in terms of title challenging, it feels like it will be more of a mile marker for City than it will be United, who are too erratic to truly win the league. City must avoid complacency and show that they are the better side in order to get the job done.

Predicted XI: Ederson (GK), Kyle Walker (RB), John Stones (CB), Rúben Dias (CB), Benjamin Mendy (LB), Rodri (CDM), İlkay Gündoğan (CDM), Kevin De Bruyne (CAM), Riyad Mahrez (RW), Gabriel Jesus (ST), Raheem Sterling (LW)