The Manchester derby has often been incredibly one-sided in recent years but Sunday’s battle promises to stray from the norm.
Manchester United have often entered this fixture in underwhelming form during the past couple of campaigns but their local rivals Manchester City also find themselves firmly in crisis mode as the Red Devils visit the Etihad Stadium.
A battle of uncertainty lies in wait but there remain some of the world’s most talented players residing across the pitch. The attacking talent on show is particularly eye-catching despite recent defensive woes for the Manchester duo.
Here are three key battles that could decide the Manchester derby.
Kevin De Bruyne’s recent return has been the only positive from an immensely disappointing spell for Man City. In fact, their only win in the last ten games came due to an inspired performance from the Belgian at home to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League. We have often seen the gliding midfielder decide big occasions and Man City will lean on his ingenuity at the Etihad.
The man tasked with duelling De Bruyne for 90 minutes is Uruguay international Manuel Ugarte, who has made a largely underwhelming start to his Man Utd career. The combative midfielder has looked sharper since the arrival of his former coach Ruben Amorim, however, with Sunday the ultimate test of his credentials.
The South American’s persistence and willingness to chop into challenges is Man Utd’s main defence against the maestro, with Kobbie Mainoo needing to help Ugarte out whenever possible.
Bruno Fernandes has often been the shining light for Man Utd in dark days and that’s proven the case in recent weeks. The Portuguese has looked reinvigorated since November and currently leads his side for creation in the Premier League. No player has more combined goals and assists (8) or more big chances created (9).
With Rodri sidelined – a key aspect of Man City’s startling decline over the past few months – Fernandes could be the man to unlock an uneasy Man City defence. Ilkay Gundogan will be attempting to stop him in his tracks, but the German has often been defensively insecure this term and his ageing legs have struggled against elite attacking midfielders.
Keeping Fernandes under wraps will be essential for Man City.
Erling Haaland has been surprisingly profligate in recent months but the Norwegian is still posting strong numbers. He has scored nine in his last nine for club and country, even if his standards have dropped.
Realistically, Haaland should enjoy an afternoon up against an error-prone Man Utd defence. The Red Devils have been in self-sabotage mode recently and the likes of Andre Onana, Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt have come under fire. The latter will be tasked with matching Haaland physically on Sunday.
The Dutch defender has made a rocky start to the campaign and his life at Old Trafford, with Haaland on hand to expose any lapses in concentration. The striker scored home and away in his last meetings with De Ligt during the centre-back’s spell at Bayern Munich.
