It’s anybody’s guess how the outcome will be for the second Manchester derby of the Premier League season as it is already promising to be a thoroughly engaging encounter this weekend with both teams in trim fighting form.
United will be welcoming their rivals to Old Trafford with the hosts in fine form while Pep Guardiola’s side will be looking to make history as the Citizens will be completing the league double over their rivals for the sixth time if they emerge victorious, which would then be the most out of any other team in the competition’s history.
Earlier on in the campaign they had emerged victorious atop a nine-goal extravaganza after stunning hat-tricks from both Erling Haaland and Phil Foden handed them the three points in a 6-3 victory.
With six goals already netted in that clash, they now only require two more to equal or three to break their record number of goals scored against Man United in a season since 1955.
This weekend also significantly marks a special occasion for manager Guardiola as he would be taking charge of the 500th top-flight game of his managerial career and the Spaniard is expected to take this special opportunity to set new records for the club.
All eyes will also be on Erik ten Hag to to rain on the Cityzens’ party after he became the quickest Red Devils boss to reach 20 wins in charge, with his side now in superb form, having convincingly won their last eight games in a row in all competitions while also winning nine consecutive matches at Old Trafford.
With this sizzling form they would obviously be hopeful of coming out on top in the derby, with a win moving them one point behind their rivals and possibly edging the Red Devils into the title race.
The key man in the hot seat during this resurgence of form has been Marcus Rashford as the England star has scored in his last eight games at Old Trafford and is Ten Hag’s side’s top scorer with 15 goals this season.
The United boss said this after Rashford scored a late brace off the bench in midweek: “I have told you many times, when he brings himself into position, when the teams puts him in the positions, in the one-on-ones in the box he will score and that is what he is doing at this moment.
“So if he keeps the focus and keeps putting the effort in he will keep on scoring.”
Should Rashford score once again, it will be his fourth in a row in the Premier League, a feat that he hasn’t achieved since January 2019. The 25-year-old would certainly be looking to improve his dismal record in the derby as he has failed to score in any of his last five appearances in the classic event, managing only one shot on target.
United are hoping to put their past drab performances against City at home, losing eight times to their rivals at Old Trafford which is more than any other team.
Both sides having something to prove in this derby. Play on.