Manchester United vs Manchester City
Premier League 2018-19
Venue: Old Trafford
Date: Wednesday 24 April, 2019
Kick-off: 8pm GMT
Manchester City can take a major step towards securing Premier League title glory if they can inflict more misery on Manchester United in Wednesday’s pivotal derby.
Pep Guardiola’s side can move a point clear of Liverpool at the summit of English football with just three games of the season left with a win at Old Trafford.
Sections of United’s support would rather neighbours City win the title at the expense of arch-rivals Liverpool, who will be hoping for a major favour from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side in their quest to end their 29-year wait for a league trophy.
That would require a sudden improvement from a United side who are ending the season in truly wretched form, however.
After a run of five defeats in seven, Solskjaer’s side slumped to their biggest defeat of the season on Sunday after they were taken apart by Everton at Goodison Park.
The Norwegian has made it clear that everyone within the squad is now fighting to save their future at the club. A response is needed.
Man Utd vs Man City team news and predicted line-ups
Luke Shaw is available again after a two-game domestic ban which will almost certainly see a reshuffle at the back. Phil Jones is likely a doubt after limping off at half-time in that 4-0 defeat to Everton.
A shake-up in attack could be considered given the thoroughly dismal showings in red in recent weeks. Alexis Sanchez remained on the bench against Everton but offered a bright cameo off the bench against Barcelona following his recent injuries.
Solskjaer’s has been glowing in his praise of 17-year-old Mason Greenwood again, a player he insists will be given the opportunity to shine while he is in charge.
Anthony Martial could be among the clutch of players at risk of losing their place after his anonymous performance against Everton – just days after his manager name-checked him among the group who simply must offer more.
Ander Herrera, Eric Bailly and Antonio Valencia have been recent absentees with the United boss expected to provide an update on the trio in his press conference on Tuesday.
City’s biggest concern is Kevin de Bruyne who is set to miss the derby due to a muscular injury suffered in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Tottenham. It is the third injury the Belgium international has picked up this season.
Fernandinho has started City’s last two matches on the bench after missing out completely against Crystal Palace but could return to the starting XI at Old Trafford.
Predicted XIs
Manchester United XI: De Gea, Dalot, Lindelof, Smalling, Shaw, McTominay, Matic, Pogba, Sanchez, Rashford, Lukaku
Manchester City XI: Ederson, Walker, Stones, Laporte, Mendy, Fernandinho, David Silva, Gundogan, Bernardo Silva, Sterling, Aguero
Score prediction: Manchester United 0-1 Manchester City
Paul Pogba produced a critic-silencing performance as United claimed a huge victory over their neighbours last April.
He and the rest of the United squad need to repeat that trick to not only keep their hopes of a top four finish alive, but to ease some of the considerable strain that has fallen under Solskjaer since he was appointed permanent manager.
But such have been the dismal nature of their performances in the last few weeks, it is difficult to envisage any sort of turnaround before Solskjaer has the chance to wield the axe this summer.
Betting tips via Betfair | UK users only | Subject to change
Match odds
- Man Utd to win: 6/1
- Draw: 4/1
- Man City to win: 40/85
First goalscorer odds
- Sergio Aguero: 11/4
- Gabriel Jesus: 7/2
- Raheem Sterling: 9/2
- Leroy Sane: 6/1
- Romelu Lukaku: 15/2
- Bernardo Silva: 9/1
- Marcus Rashford: 9/1
- Paul Pogba: 11/1
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Man Utd vs Man City tickets
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Head to head (h2h) history and results
This will be the 178th meeting between the two sides with United still holding the superior record with 73 wins. City have 52 – the same number of draws between the two.
City cruised to a 3-1 win at the Etihad Stadium in the reverse fixture in November.
TV channel and live stream, and online coverage
The match will be shown live on Sky Sports' Premier League and Main Event channels, and is available via Now TV with a day pass on offer for £8.99. Sky Sports subscribers can stream the match online via SkyGo and the SkyGo app.
You can also follow all the action on Standard Sport's LIVE blog.
