It’s that time again, get the beers, Prozac and toilet roll in because the Manchester Derby is around the corner. Plumbers on speed dial across Greater Manchester…. and London. Manchester City will host the other side of Manchester at the Etihad this Sunday.
Whilst the blues overall have been on top in recent years, experience tells us that anything can happen on derby day. In a battle of the baldies, can Pep Wish get one over on Pep Guardiola?
Last season saw Manchester City do the double over one of the poorest United sides in recent times. With a score of 6-1 to the blues across both fixtures – we love 6-1, don’t we?
However, United has seen some better results in recent weeks. Whilst they haven’t necessarily seen dominant displays or exciting football, they have seen a shift in mentality and the ability to grind out results despite not putting in great performances.
It is this shift in mentality that could have City worried. Their counterattacking style is one that we know can be a massive threat to Pep’s side, and this season has seen a few goals conceded already.
City continue to familiarise themselves with the adaptations required to bring a massive front man into the game, which has meant that we haven’t seen the fluidity going forward that we have come to love.
Nevertheless, the blues have created plenty of chances for Haaland to make a great start to his Premier League career. One can only imagine how incredible we will be when we reach full form.
Manchester City are yet to reach their top form since the beginning of the season, so the derby will be an interesting game for neutrals, tummy turning for fans, and disappointing for those that expect an easy game for either side.
Neville hopes Haaland won’t be at the Manchester Derby on Sunday!
— That's Football! (@ThatsFootballTV) September 29, 2022
Don’t think your hopes will become reality, @GNev2
🎥 - @GNev2 pic.twitter.com/BElAzcW4SN
With the recent internationals out of the way, and another injury to Manchester City’s John Stones, the defender, not the dog. Which has now become an expected outcome for those that are familiar with Stones’ track record with England.
This leaves questions about who will claim a place in the starting line-up for the first Manchester Derby of the season?