Manchester City welcome their city rivals Manchester United to the Etihad for the latest chapter of the Manchester Derby on Sunday.
City are top of the Premier League, but when they kick off, they will see Liverpool just three points away in second place, adding more urgency and pressure to the derby.
United are currently embroiled in a top four battle with the likes of West Ham, Arsenal and Tottenham all chasing the Red Devils in a race that is likely to go right down to the wire.
Despite the odds being against United, they’ve defeated City at the Etihad four out of the last five times which gives the match that added edge with City also needing to take maximum points.
United face City this Sunday in the Manchester derby.
United have won in their last three trips to the Etihad ๐งน pic.twitter.com/eJEIKWyFke
โ B/R Football (@brfootball) March 5, 2022
Man City vs Man United injury news
Manchester City will be without Ruben Dias for the next four to six weeks after he picked a hamstring injury forcing him out. Nathan Ake has also been ruled out with a minor knock.
Other than that, City have a full squad to choose from.
For Manchester United, Edinson Cavani and Scott McTominay are back in training following their absences with a groin Injury and illness, respectively.
However, it’s unclear whether Cavani will feature with the 35-year-old only playing 67 minutes since the away game at Burnley at the start of February.
Man City vs Man United predicted lineups
Manchester City have a plethora of options for this game, but the main issue will come at center back with Dias out injured. It’s likely Laporte will partner John Stones with Kyle Walker coming back in at right back having only played 90 minutes on two occasions since Feb. 12.
The likes of Jack Grealish, Riyad Mahrez and Gabriel Jesus are still trying to force their way into the starting lineup, but it’s likely manager Pep Guardiola will stick with the tried-and-tested false nine system.
Man City predicted lineup (4-3-3): Ederson โ Walker, Stones, Laporte, Cancelo โ Rodri, Gundogan, De Bruyne โ Foden, Silva, Sterling
Manchester United have plenty of options, too, and manager Ralf Rangnick could look to United’s previous victories against City for inspiration for his starting lineup.
Man United have had success with swift counter-attacks with pace against City, especially at the Etihad, and Rangnick will need to employ those tactics if he has any hope of beating the reigning Premier League champions. Expect Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Luke Shaw, McTominay and Fred to feature against City.
In the wide areas, Rangnick will have to choose between Jadon Sancho, Anthony Elanga or Marcus Rashford to bring pace. He could sacrifice Paul Pogba in midfield, and instead have two out-and-out wingers to boost their chances on the counterattack. Rashford is still struggling for confidence, while Jesse Lingard hasn’t been able to force himself into the starting lineup under Rangnick, but remains a very useful option.
Elanga has become a fan favorite thanks to goals against Leeds and Atletico Madrid, and despite being only 19 years old, he is in contention to play. However, it’s likely to be from the bench as an impact sub.
Man United predicted lineup (4-2-3-1): De Gea โ Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Varane, Shaw โ Fred, McTominay โ Pogba, Fernandes, Sancho โ Ronaldo
How to watch Man City vs. Man United
- Date: Sunday, Mar. 6
- Time: 11:30 a.m. ET
- USA TV channels: USA Network, Telemundo
- USA streaming: fuboTV
- Canada streaming: DAZN
Sunday’s game at the Etihad Stadium will be available on USA Network (English) and Telemundo (Spanish) in the USA, and both networks are streamed on fuboTV, which is available to new users via a free trial.
In Canada the Premier League is streamed exclusively live and on demand on DAZN.