.png?v=1.014689161)
Manchester UTD sit 2nd in the Premier League standings, knowing a win will be hugely significant to trim the gap to leaders City to five points and keep the title race firmly alive heading into the busy festive period. The Red Devils have won every single competitive fixture they have played at Old Trafford, outscoring the opposition 20-1 – a remarkable record. Tuesday night’s 2-1 win over CSKA Moscow guaranteed them a place in the Champions League knockout stage as they won the Group A. They also won the Derby the last time these two teams met at Old Trafford – winning a League Cup tie 1-0.
Josè Mourinho could retain his recent 3-4-1-2 formation, with Jesse Lingard lining up in the No 10 role behind the front pairing of Romelu Lukaku and Anthony Martial. Paul Pogba starts his three-game ban this weekend, and Ander Herrera is expected to partner Nemanja Matic in midfield. Phil Jones returned to training at the start of the week but should be rested, with Victor Lindelof, Marcos Rojo and Chris Smalling appearing more secure starters. Zlatan Ibrahimovic should be fit enough for a place on the bench while Marouane Fellaini is a majord doubt. Eirc Bailly and Michael Carrick remain sidelined.
Manchester City are 8 points clear of their city rivals in the Premier League and equalled the record for consecutive Premier League wins by beating West Ham last Sunday. They will look to protect their unbeaten League record which has seen them win 14 of their 15 so far, having dropped points only against Everton (1-1). The Citizens have also won all 7 of their road trips, 4 with a clean sheet, the most significant being a 1-0 victory at Chelsea. Anyway, Guardiola's men suffered their first competitive defeat this season as they lost to Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League (2-1) in midweek. Man City ran out 1-2 winners at Old Trafford last season but that was their only victory in the last five meetings between the two sides in all competitions.
David Silva is a slight doubt after sitting out in midfield due to a knock. This could see Ilkay Gundogan, Bernardo Silva or Yaya Toure could deputise alongside Fernandinho and Kevin De Bruyne in central midfield in the usual 4-1-2-3 formation. Up front, Gabriel Jesus played the full 90 minutes in midweek and could drop back to the bench, with Sergio Aguero returning to the XI. Leroy Sanè and Raheem Sterling are expected to retain their starting berth as offensive wingers. Benjamin Mendy and John Stones are sidelined for Pep Guardiola this weekend.
- Voted: 0
Comments (0)