Manchester City vs Manchester United: Premier League Clash at Etihad Stadium

Who: Manchester City vs Manchester United

What: Premier League football

When: Sunday, March 3, 2024, 15:30 GMT

Where: Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola expects United to be a force once more but not in time for Sunday’s derby.

City are just one point behind league leaders Liverpool, who travel to Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

United are eight points off Aston Villa in fourth spot, the fourth Champions League qualification spot.

New minority owner at Old Trafford, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, laid out his plans to return the 20-time English champions to the summit when he completed his acquisition of 27 percent of the club’s shares this month, including re-establishing the pecking order in the city.

Ahead of Sunday’s match, Guardiola admits the recent change at United is likely to change matters.

“In the ’80s it was Liverpool, the ’90s, it was United – now we are this many years, winning seven Premier League titles in the last 11, 12 years,” he said.

“It has happened, but in 50 or 60 years, there has never in one country been a club that dominates and controls everything, so we can try to extend for as many years as possible what we are trying to do.”

Although not feasting at the top table, United have their own battles to fight and Champions League qualification is top of their agenda. A home defeat by Fulham last weekend ended a seven-game unbeaten run, but United manager Erik ten Hag remains in defiant mood.

“We are also on a good run. The spirit is very good,” he said.

“We have done it before against City, also against Liverpool. We will prepare well. The players are looking forward to it. I can smell it. I’m excited.”

Following the United game, City face a tough run of games facing their title rivals Liverpool and Arsenal in the league, along with their Champions League last 16-second leg with Copenhagen on Wednesday.

Manchester City’s season has picked up pace since their Club World Cup triumph in December. Pep Guardiola’s side have won 14 of their last 15 games and are undefeated in their last 18 games.

United had been on a seven-game undefeated run until Fulham’s surprise win at Old Trafford in the Premier League last weekend. Erik ten Hag’s side returned to winning way in the FA Cup in midweek by overcoming Nottingham Forest 1-0.

The Manchester rivals first faced each other in the old Division Two in England in November 1894. United won 5-2 at City before sealing the double over their neighbours with a 4-1 win in the return fixture in January 1985.

There have been 190 meetings in total with United winning 77 to City’s 60.

Team News

Manchester City are without Jack Grealish, who injured his groin in the FA Cup at Luton on Tuesday.

Defender Josko Gvardiol is close to a return from an ankle injury but the derby is likely to be too soon.

Manchester City predicted lineup: Ederson; Kyle Walker, Josh Stones, Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake; Rodri; Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva, Julian Alvarez, Jeremy Doku; Erling Haaland

Manchester United’s main absentees are defender Luke Shaw and striker Rasmus Hojlund. Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are also all absent from the back line.

Manchester United predicted lineup: Andre Onana; Diogo Dalot, Raphael Varane, Jonny Evans, Victor Lindelof; Kobbie Mainoo, Casemiro; Christian Eriksen, Bruno Fernandes, Alejandro Garnacho, Marcus Rashford