Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
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 gone into this game in unconvincing form over the past few campaigns, but their local rivals Manchester City are also in crisis mode as the Red Devils visit the Etihad Stadium.
An uncertain battle awaits us, but some of the most talented players in the world still reside across the field. The attacking talent on display is particularly eye-catching despite the Manchester duo’s recent defensive woes.
Here are three key battles that could decide the Manchester derby.
The recent return of Kevin De Bruyne has been the only positive in a hugely disappointing season for Man City. In fact, their only win in their last ten games came courtesy of an inspired display from the Belgian at home to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League. We have often seen the sliding midfielder decide big chances and Man City will rely on his brilliance at the Etihad.
The man tasked with battling De Bruyne for 90 minutes is Uruguay international Manuel Ugarte, who has made a very poor 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 latest test of his credentials.
The South American’s tenacity and willingness to rise to the challenge is Man Utd’s main defense against the maestro, and Kobbie Mainoo needs to help Ugarte whenever possible.
Bruno Fernandes has often been a shining light for Man Utd in dark days and it has shown over the past few weeks. The Portuguese has looked invigorated since November and is currently leading his side to create in the Premier League. No player has more combined goals and assists (8) or more big chances created (9).
With Rodri out – a key aspect of Man City’s stunning decline in recent months – Fernandes could be the man to unleash Man City’s shaky defence. Ilkay Gundogan will try to stop him in his tracks, but the German has often been defensively uncertain this term and his aging legs have struggled against elite attacking midfielders.
Keeping Fernandes under wraps will be key for Man City.
Erling Haaland has been surprisingly sloppy in recent months, but the Norwegian is still putting up good numbers. He has scored nine in his last nine for club and country, even if his standards have dipped.
Realistically, Haaland should enjoy an afternoon against an error-prone Man Utd defence. The Red Devils have been in self-sabotage mode recently and Andre Onana, Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt have come under fire. The latter will have the task of physically challenging Haaland on Sunday.
The Dutch defender has made a difficult start to the campaign and his life at Old Trafford, with Haaland on hand to expose any lapses in concentration. The striker has scored home and away in his last meetings with De Ligt during the centre-back’s time at Bayern Munich.
