The 179th Manchester derby takes place on Saturday when hosts City hopes to oust rivals United and cut the 11-point gap against Premier League leaders Liverpool. The Citizens have triumphed in each of their last two meetings with the Red Devils, but Pep Guardiola’s side has won just two of its last four league games heading into Week 16.
Manchester City vs. Manchester United
When: Saturday, December 7
Time: 12:30 p.m. ET
TV: NBCSN
Live Stream: fuboTV (watch for free)
United lost 3-1 when it last traveled to Etihad Stadium in Nov. 2018, when Anthony Martial scored the visiting side’s only goal from the penalty spot.
Martial missed Wednesday’s 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur after he suffered an injury in the recent 2-2 draw against Aston Villa. However, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said on Friday that Martial could be involved in the derby, but wasn’t sure yet if he would start.
Paul Pogba is still nursing an ankle injury and won’t return for United. Guardiola said in late November that it would be a miracle if Sergio Aguero regained fitness in time to be featured, while winger Leroy Sane and centre-back Aymeric Laporte remain long-term absentees for City.
Oleksandr Zinchenko is also a doubt, meaning Guardiola could retain Angelino at left-back after benching Benjamin Mendy in favor of the Spaniard during the recent 4-1 win over Burnley.
This will be Solskjaer’s first visit to Etihad as the United manager. He’s hoping to revive some of his side’s confidence in the backyard of its noisy neighbors. Prior to its loss at Etihad last November, United was unbeaten in three visits to this ground and won two of those.
Liverpool will relish the thought of third-place City dropping more points after the team recently drew 2-2 at Newcastle United, allowing Leicester City to establish breathing room in second place.
The mid-week win over the Spurs saw United climb up to sixth, going undefeated four league matches in a row for the first time this season. It also marked the team’s first run of more than two wins this term. That being said, the result against Jose Mourinho’s side was also its first win in four games.
City has dropped just four Premier League points at home this season and is unbeaten in six at Etihad, but United hopes the derby occasion will give it the might to topple the hosts.
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