It’s one of the most eagerly anticipated fixtures of the year, as Manchester United travel to the Etihad Stadium this Sunday to take on in-form rivals Manchester City.
After the Reds extended our unbeaten away league run to 21 games in the 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men face a difficult challenge as we take on a City team who have won 21 straight matches in all competitions.
However, United have won on our last two trips to the Etihad, winning 2-1 in the league last season and 1-0 in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg.
While Manchester United have never won three consecutive matches at the stadium, history could be in the making this weekend as we share five insights ahead of their 185th Manchester derby…
- Manchester City have lost three of their last five home league games against Manchester United, including a 1-2 defeat last season. The Citizens have not recorded consecutive home league games against Manchester United Since April, 2010.
- Manchester United are looking to win their first three consecutive away games in all outings against Manchester City for the first time since a run of four between the Manchester rivals between November 1993 and November 2000.
- Manchester City have kept a clean sheet in both of their meetings with the Red Devils this season – 0-0 in the Premier League and 2-0 in the League Cup. The last team to record three wins against the Old Trafford outfits within a single season was Arsenal F.C in the 1998-99 season.
- So far this season, Pep Guardiola’s side are currently on the streak of 28 games unbeaten in all competition and if they manage to avoid a defeat today, City will set a new club record for games without defeat. Man City have also won each of their last 21 matches, making it the third ever longest run in all competitions among teams in the big five European Leagues.
- Lastly, Manchester United have drawn their last three matches goalless in all competitions – the Red Devils have never drawn four matches in a row goalless, while the last Premier League team to do was Tottenham Hotspur back in February 2001.
Possible starting XI:
Manchester City possible starting lineup:
Ederson; Cancelo, Dias, Stones, Zinchenko; Gundogan, Rodri, De Bruyne; Foden, Sterling, Bernardo
Manchester United possible starting lineup:
Henderson; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw; McTominay, Fred; James, Fernandes, Rashford; Cavani