City travel to Old Trafford in the latest chapter of the Manchester Derby

Carabao Cup winners Manchester City return to league action at the home against their fiercest rivals, Manchester United.

City have a very good record at Old Trafford. They have lost just one of their last nine league visits there.

Although the away side are the favourites in this clash, Pep Guardiola knows the problems that Manchester United can cause. They have already beaten City twice this season, most recently in the second leg of the EFL Cup Semi-Final, 1-0.

This is the start of a difficult set of fixtures for City. Following United, they host Arsenal on Wednesday night, which is followed by Real Madrid in the Champions League and then Liverpool and Chelsea after the international break.

This is also the beginning of a difficult week for United.  After City, they travel to North London to play Spurs on Sunday next week, with an awkward away trip in Austria to face LASK sandwiched inbetween.

It’s an important fixture for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men. Alongside the thought of pride, there also comes the thought of Champions League football. The Red Devils are only three points behind 4th placed Chelsea, who could extend their gap over United if they beat Everton in the early kick off. Realistically they cannot afford to drop any points this evening.

Though the title is all but gone for the cuurent champions, a win at the Theatre of Dreams would reduce the gap on Liverpool to 22 points. A victory for United would move them back ahead of Wolves and Sheffield United and maybe even Chelsea, if they lose their game with Everton.

Team news

For United – Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford are still out. Daniel James, Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan Bissaka facing late fitness tests.

For City – Leroy Sane unavailable, Aymeric Laporte is out with a thigh injury. Kevin De Bruyne will have a late fitness test.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes his side is ready for the challenge

“Yeah, I’ve got to say we’re looking forward to it. It’s a derby. We’ve found form, we know form might be thrown out the window in a derby but still the boys are confident going into this game.”

“The fans will be massive and keep backing the players. I know they will. They always have done. We know that we will have them behind us and we’ll go for it.”

Pep Guardiola has praised United and has seen improvement in their Manchester rivals

“From what I saw they follow him (Ole Gunnar Solskjaer) absolutely. They’re getting better. Right now is maybe their best moment of the season.”

Head-to-head

Manchester United wins – 75

Draws – 52

Manchester City wins – 54