Manchester United lock horns with Manchester City in a much-awaited Manchester derby at Old Trafford in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.
Back at the start of October, Manchester City claimed bragging rights in the derby by mauling cross-town rivals Manchester United 6-3 at the Etihad Stadium. So, revenge will be on the cards for Erik ten Hag’s Man United, who are fourth in the table and on a four-game winning run in the Premier League.
The incentive for the Red Devils is to move a point behind second-placed Man City and open up the title race. City, on the other hand, suffered elimination in the EFL Cup after a shock 2-0 loss to Southampton in midweek, and Pep Guardiola will be expecting a rousing response from his boys in the derby.
On that note, let us take a look at the key battles that could define the outcome of the Manchester derby.
#Erling Haaland vs Man United centre-backs
Erling Haaland has been in sensational form in his debut season with Man City and grabbed the headlines in the last derby when he scored a superb hat-trick in the 6-3 win. Man United defenders had no answers to stop Haaland as City ran riot at the Etihad Stadium.
The Norwegian striker, however, has blown hot and cold since the Premier League’s restart. He was anonymous throughout the league win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, while failing to make an impact off the bench in City’s shock loss to Southampton in the EFL Cup quarter-finals.
Standing in Haaland’s way is likely to be United’s central defensive partnership of Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez. Both Varane and Martinez are yet to start together after the resumption of the league but this could be the game Erik ten Hag reunites them in defence to stop Haaland.
Having failed to keep Haaland quiet at the Etihad Stadium, Varane and Martinez will be motivated this time around to do the job in front of the Old Trafford faithful.
#Kevin de Bruyne vs Casemiro
Kevin de Bruyne is the beating heart of this Man City side. He is one of the world’s best midfielders and has been in superb form this season with three goals and nine assists in 17 league appearances.
Expected to start on the left of City’s midfield three, De Bruyne will often look to find Haaland in and around the box. Stopping De Bruyne from influencing City’s play will be crucial if United are to give themselves a chance of winning the derby, and Ten Hag could employ Casemiro to do that job.
Casemiro has been a revelation at Old Trafford, transforming United’s midfield with his passing skills, defensive acumen and leadership skills. He will be key in not only stopping De Bruyne from pinging balls left, right and centre, but also controlling United’s midfield.
Whoever comes out on top in this midfield battle will certainly have a big say in deciding the game in their team’s favour.
#Riyad Mahrez vs Luke Shaw
Riyad Mahrez has been City’s most in-form player in recent weeks, playing a pivotal role in the team’s back-to-back wins over Chelsea in the Premier League and FA Cup, respectively. Due to his form and the unpredictability he brings in his movement, the Algerian is likely to get the nod over Phil Foden on the right flank.
If he starts, Mahrez is likely to come up against Luke Shaw. Shaw has been one of United’s top performers this season and should relish the challenge posed by Mahrez. Considering the City winger’s recent goal-scoring form, the United left-back will have to bring his A-game on the floor.
#Marcus Rashford vs Man City centre-backs
Marcus Rashford took his season’s tally to 15 in all competitions with a brace against Charlton in the EFL Cup on Tuesday. He is in the form of his life, finding the net in every game since the season’s resumption.
In what should be an acid test for Ten Hag’s side against City, it is the perfect stage for Rashford to show there is more than one striker in Manchester. Man United’s No.10 should lead the assault on Ederson’s clean sheet ambitions at the weekend, so the City defenders—especially the centre-halves, will need to be at their best to stop Rashford.
Rashford is United’s chief source of goals, and if the City centre-backs can keep him away from their goal, the Sky Blues’ chances of doing the league double over their neighbours will become higher.