The 196th Manchester derby is a highlight of Premier League gameweek 31, featuring two prominent English teams aiming to recover after disappointing seasons. Manchester United, playing at home, are primarily focused on pride and may have one eye on their upcoming Europa League quarterfinal in Lyon. Their last opportunity for European football qualification this season rests on winning the Europa League as they currently sit in the lower half of the league table.
Manchester City faces significant pressure in their remaining matches. Without their key striker, Erling Haaland, for the majority, if not the entirety, of the rest of the league season, the reigning champions are fighting to maintain a top-five position to secure Champions League qualification for next season. Their first game without Haaland was a successful 2-0 victory over Leicester City, but this derby presents a tougher challenge for Pep Guardiola. The City manager has a strong record at Old Trafford, winning five of his nine league visits. A sixth victory would provide City with crucial momentum for the final stretch of the season.
Viewing Information
- Date: Sunday, April 6
- Location: Old Trafford — Manchester, United Kingdom
- TV: NBC
- Odds: Manchester United +230; Draw +260; Manchester City +110
Last Meeting
The previous match at the Etihad Stadium lacked overall quality, but one player stood out. Despite trailing to Josko Gvardiol`s first goal, Ruben Amorim introduced Amad Diallo, who dramatically changed the game. Diallo won a penalty converted by Bruno Fernandes for the equalizer and then scored himself with a sharp finish from a difficult angle, stunning the home crowd.
Manager Insights
Manchester United
Despite a recent defeat to Nottingham Forest, which marked United`s ninth loss in 19 Premier League games under the new manager, Amorim believes the team is progressing. He stated, “It`s been similar since the season began. We are improving our playing style, creating more opportunities, and controlling games more.”
He added, “However, not winning is felt, which is positive. We understand this season will be inconsistent, but we are focused on moving forward to the next game.”
Manchester City
Having secured consecutive Premier League wins for the first time since early January, including an FA Cup victory over Bournemouth and the midweek win against Leicester, Pep Guardiola is aware of the importance of maintaining momentum. He noted the strong form of Newcastle United and Aston Villa, as well as Nottingham Forest`s position in the top-five race, and the potential for teams like Brighton and Bournemouth to close the gap.
Guardiola emphasized, “Eight games left. Every game is vital.”
Predicted Lineups
Manchester United:
Andre Onana; Noussair Mazraoui, Matthijs De Ligt, Leny Yoro; Diogo Dalot, Manuel Ugarte, Bruno Fernandes, Patrick Dorgu; Alejandro Garnacho, Joshua Zirkzee; Rasmus Hojlund
Manchester City:
Ederson; Matheus Nunes, Ruben Dias, Abdukodir Khusanov, Josko Gvardiol; Nico Gonzalez, Ilkay Gundogan; Savinho, Jack Grealish, Jeremy Doku; Omar Marmoush
Key Storylines
Alejandro Garnacho`s Shooting Mentality
Since Amorim took charge, Alejandro Garnacho has been among the league`s most frequent shooters, averaging 3.28 shots per 90 minutes. Despite this high volume, his expected goals (xG) per 90 minutes is relatively low at 0.22. Garnacho tends to shoot whenever he sees an opportunity, regardless of the situation.
While his eagerness to shoot at a young age is encouraging, his shot quality needs improvement. Against Forest, his six shots produced less than half the xG of Harry Maguire, who played as an auxiliary forward.
Player to Watch
Jack Grealish
Jack Grealish recently returned to the starting lineup and scored his first Premier League goal in over a year, providing a platform to build on. Intriguingly, he played in a central number 10 role, reminiscent of his pre-City form, allowing him to drive forward and shoot. Although he only took two shots in his recent game, his overall performance was impressive. The question remains whether he will retain his place, with Phil Foden also vying for a starting spot.
Prediction
Manchester United often put up a strong fight against City at Old Trafford, even in defeat. Expect Manchester City`s quality to ultimately prevail. PICK: Manchester United 0, Manchester City 1
