Manchester United vs Manchester City English Premier League Predictions - Haaland to score again in Manchester derby

Simon Lewis

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Last updated: 1 hour ago

Simon Lewis 1 hour ago

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Manchester United have won just two of the last five home Manchester derbies.
Manchester City are on a four-match winning streak ahead of the derby.
Can the two sides combine to score more than the average of two goals per game in the last five derbies at Old Trafford?

Erling Haaland has netted 5 times in 3 matches (Getty Images).

Manchester United vs Manchester City Predictions

Manchester City are favourites because of their perfect league start, stronger defensive form, extra recovery time and Haaland’s scoring streak.

Manchester United vs Manchester City Predictions
Head-to-Head
Manchester United Form
Manchester City Form
Manchester United vs Manchester City Team News & Squads

United’s recent derby record at Old Trafford makes this far from straightforward, but City’s greater consistency and attacking depth give them the edge. Markets currently price the visitors as narrow favourites.

Man United have failed to score in 3 of the last 5 Manchester derbies at Old Trafford.
Man United have scored 11 goals in their last 4 matches.
Man United have been goalless in 3 of their last 5 Manchester derbies at Old Trafford.
Man United’s Bruno Fernandes has scored 4 goals in 3 matches.
Man City haven’t lost on the road in their last 10 matches, winning 7 matches.
Man City have scored 8 goals in their last 4 matches.
Man City have conceded just 2 goals in their last 4 matches
Man City’s Erling Haaland has scored 5 goals in 3 matches.

Head-to-Head

Manchester City have won one and lost two of their last five matches against Manchester United, with two draws.

Manchester United Form

Manchester United enter the derby with renewed confidence after sweeping Sabah aside 4-0 in their Champions League opener on Thursday. Their Premier League start has been far less convincing, with Michael Carrick’s side collecting four points from three games after losing to Hull, beating Ipswich and drawing 2-2 at Everton. United have also conceded twice in each of those league fixtures, leaving clear defensive concerns ahead of a meeting with the division’s most in-form side.

There are nevertheless reasons for optimism at Old Trafford. United beat City 2-0 at this ground in January in Carrick’s first match in charge and have lost only one of their last four Premier League derbies. Bruno Fernandes remains central to their hopes after another strong run of attacking contributions, while Benjamin Sesko has pushed for a starting role by scoring against Everton and Sabah.

The main challenge will be containing City between the lines while avoiding leaving Erling Haaland isolated against the centre-backs. United possess enough pace to threaten on the counterattack, but they will need their best defensive performance of the season to protect their impressive recent home record in this fixture.

Manchester City Form

Manchester City arrive at Old Trafford as Premier League leaders after making a perfect start under Enzo Maresca. Victories over Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and Coventry have delivered nine points from nine, while Tuesday’s 2-0 Champions League success away to Porto extended their winning momentum. City therefore enter the derby with both stronger domestic form and two additional days of recovery compared with United.

Maresca’s side have adapted quickly following Pep Guardiola’s departure and continue to carry enormous attacking threat. Erling Haaland is already finding top gear, scoring twice against Porto to take his tally to five goals across his last three appearances. City’s possession structure has also evolved, regularly becoming a 3-2-5 when attacking and creating dangerous overloads around Rayan Cherki and Haaland.

The major caution is City’s recent record at Old Trafford. They have not won a league derby there since October 2023 and were beaten 2-0 on their last visit. Nevertheless, they have been significantly more consistent than United so far this season and remain unbeaten away in the Premier League since that January defeat. Another controlled performance would strengthen their early title credentials.

Manchester United vs Manchester City Team News & Squads

Manchester United remain without Matthijs de Ligt, Amad Diallo, Manuel Ugarte, Carlos Baleba and goalkeeper Tom Heaton, while Luke Shaw is a minor doubt but expected to return after being rested against Sabah. Marcus Rashford, Harry Maguire and Diogo Dalot were unused in midweek, suggesting they could come back into contention.

City have a much shorter injury list: Jeremy Doku remains doubtful with a calf problem, while Nico O’Reilly is expected to recover from a back issue. Neither side has any suspended players.

Manchester United (predicted XI): Senne Lammens; Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw; Kobbie Mainoo, Youri Tielemans; Bryan Mbeumo, Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford; Matheus Cunha.

Manchester City (predicted XI): Gianluigi Donnarumma; Abdukodir Khusanov, Ruben Dias, Marc Guehi, Josko Gvardiol; Elliot Anderson, Enzo Fernandez; Antoine Semenyo, Rayan Cherki, Iliman Ndiaye; Erling Haaland.

Verdict

English Premier League

I am backing Manchester City to win but with United to score. The usual low scores in recent Manchester derbies has me backing a 2-1 final score because of the tempting payout. I am also backing Erling Haaland to score for City and Bruno Fernandes to net for United.

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