Manchester City are only a game away from winning the Premier League title, having all but won the crown weeks ago due to their huge points advantage over the rest of the competition.
City are favourites to win at home and seal the crown, but United will do everything in their power to delay the celebrations. Manager Jose Mourinho is too prideful to let Pep Guardiola get one over him, so expect Saturday’s meeting at the Etihad Stadium to be an enthralling affair.
Pep Guardiola v Jose Mourinho
There is a long history between Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho, going back to the days of the early 90s when Mourinho used to be part of Sir Bobby Robson’s coaching team at Barcelona, where Guardiola’s career kicked off.
Later, the pair went head-to-head in Spain, with Guardiola at Barcelona and Mourinho at Real Madrid. The two shared a La Liga title in their two years in Spain before Guardiola moved to Bayern Munich in 2012.
Saturday evening’s meeting will pit the two managers together again with a title on the line for one of them.
An opportunity for revenge
Manchester United have dominated their derby games against Manchester City down the years, but the Sky Blues are starting to turn the tide. Out of 176 meetings, United have managed 72 wins and 52 draws.
Ahead of Saturday evening’s meeting, however, City has beaten every club in the Premier League this season, including United at Old Trafford earlier in the season. The Sky Blues are 16 points clear of the Red Devils too.
United will be desperate for revenge after losing on their home turf back in December.
David De Gea v Ederson Moraes
Out of De Gea and Ederson, the former is regarded as the better goalkeeper. The Spaniard has impressed this season and saved United in many games. However, in terms of technical ability and being comfortable in possession, Ederson trumps De Gea.
It would quite a contest to see the best goalkeepers going against one another.
Current Form
Manchester City have won five on the bounce in the Premier League ahead of their meeting with Manchester United. The visitors have won four consecutive league games for their troubles.
At home, City have dropped just two points from 15 games this season. United have managed just 27 points from a possible 45 on the road.
City recently lost to Liverpool in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final which could make them nervy ahead of the derby. United suffered a surprise exit in the previous round.
Fixture congestion
Manchester City still have the Champions League and Premier League to navigate so Guardiola might be forced to rest players in the Manchester derby to ensure he has his best players fully fit for their second leg against Liverpool next week.
United only have to worry about the domestic matches for the next few weeks so they can name their best starting XI.
The previous derby brawl
December’s meeting between United and City became famous for the row after the game. City were accused of celebrating too loudly in the dressing room which led to Mourinho confronting the players. This scuffle increased the tensions between the two and history could repeat itself at the Etihad.