No wall divides the city, but the colors of Red or Blue define the way the City of Manchester is divided. The Blue half has enjoyed tremendous success in recent years on the backing of huge financial support and some exceptional players and managers.
From that iconic Wayne Rooney Bicycle to so that ‘Why Always Me’ Mario Balotelli Celebration, from some crazy fights and to that season finale back in 2012, the game has seen it all.
Saturday Night’s fixture promises to be a cracker as United come into the game beating a in-form Tottenham Hotspurs side 2-1 on Wednesday, courtesy of an outstanding display by striker Marcus Rashford.
City, who have fallen a surprising 11 points off the pace in the league were also on the winning side as they hammered Burnley 4-1 to gain 3 points.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer told reporters that Paul Pogba ‘will remain out’ for the fixture. United have never have had consistency thus far in the league, but would be hoping to prove critics wrong with a strong performance.
City still miss a couple of regular starters in Ayemeric Laporte and Leroy Sane.
The latter has been in news for a reported move to Bayern Munich. 11 points between the Citizens and Liverpool seems like a mountain to climb right now and any more points dropped for City will only mean an easier job for the Reds towards the business end of the season.
The fixture ended as a 3-1 win for the Sky Blues last season as Ilkay Gundogan, Sergio Aguero and David Silva struck to ensure that the Blue half of Manchester remained on top.
PREDICTED LINEUPS:
City enter the festive period with big games and senior players remaining fit is of tremendous importance for them. Pep Guardiola already has to deal with the injured Sane, Laporte and striker Aguero, who all are all certainly out for the game.
Angelino looks to continue at the left back spot with either of John Stones or Nicolas Otamendi operating with Brazilian Fernandinho in the CB spots.
David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne are certain to start in midfield and provide creativity to the attacking trio of Raheem Sterling, Gabriel Jesus, who comes in for the injured Aguero and Bernardo Silva. Ederson is expected to continue between the sticks without a doubt.
Predicted Lineups: Ederson, Angelino, Fernandinho, Otamendi, Walker, Rodrigo, D. Silva (C), De Bruyne, Sterling, Jesus, B. Silva 4-3-3
United miss Frenchman Paul Pogba through injury for the weekend as he continues on the sidelines but his international colleague Anthony Martial is back to full fitness after missing United’s game against Spurs last time out.
Nemanja Matic still remains doubtful for the game as Eric Bailly and Timothy Fosu Mensah are both out. Daniel James has been in exceptional form for the Red Devils and will be hoping to make it count on his first Manchester Derby. David De Gea continues in goal for United.
Juan Mata is likely to start ahead of Brazilian Andreas Pereira in the CAM role to provide fluidity in attack. Marcus Rashford, who’s twin strikes sunk Spurs is expected to named on the team sheet.
Predicted Lineups:
De Gea, Williams, Maguire, Lindelof, Wan-Bissaka, Fred, McTominay, Mata, James, Martial, Rashford 4-2-3-1
Referee: Anthony Taylor
Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester (55097)
English Premier League, Round 16
Time: 17:30 GMT, Saturday
