Premier League
Eight reasons why Manchester United can beat Man City in Premier League fixture
Manchester United make the short trip to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon to lock horns with Manchester City as big underdogs
Manchester United are looking to defy the odds and disrupt Manchester City’s Premier League title charge when they travel to the Etihad Stadium this afternoon (Sunday, 4.30pm kick off UK time).
Currently 19 points behind Pep Guardiola’s side in the table, United are overwhelming underdogs ahead of the 187th competitive meeting between the two clubs. So while City are looking to retain their Premier League crown, United — despite splashing out more than £120million on world-class talent last summer — are facing a fight just to finish inside the top-four.
United will enter the contest off the back of a disappointing goalless draw with Watford last weekend and City will be targeting a third successive win after victories over Everton and Peterborough in the past week or so. With that in mind, United are not fancied to cause a stir and scoop all three points.
But whilst you may be thinking that United have no chance at all on Sunday afternoon, form can often fly out of the window on derby day. Furthermore, unexpected drama is almost certainly guaranteed in some capacity.
With that said, here are eight reasons why United’s supporters should have some optimism going into the game:
1. United’s Etihad record
Although City have dominated the football scene in Manchester in recent years, they have not had things all their own way when United have visited the Etihad of late. The Reds have won their last three visits in league and cup and won four of their last five on City territory.
That has to count for something. United have entered all of those contests as the lesser fancied team and risen to the challenge each and every time, either by grinding out an ugly 1-0 win or staging a thrilling comeback from 2-0 down.
As well as that, United, as ever, will be backed by a sold-out away end and they will make their voices heard, just as they did at both Elland Road and the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium in recent weeks. The 12th man will be key.
2. The derby history
Anything can happen, right? Yes, City are currently flying high and are in a position that United can only dream about, but nothing can be ruled out on derby day.
As mentioned above, nothing can be taken for granted when these two meet and the form book, most of the time, is torn up and thrown into the nearest bin.
For instance, who would have thought that City would have turned up at Old Trafford in October 2011 to face an unbeaten United side in the Premier League so far that season and win 6-1? Nobody.
3. Tottenham have shown it isn’t impossible
With the utmost respect to Tottenham Hotspur, they have hardly set the world alight this season. Chasing the final Champions League spot, just like United, their fans travelled to the Etihad a fortnight ago no doubt anticipating another defeat against one of the big-six.
As mentioned above, nothing can be taken for granted when these two meet and the form book, most of the time, is torn up and thrown into the nearest bin.
For instance, who would have thought that City would have turned up at Old Trafford in October 2011 to face an unbeaten United side in the Premier League so far that season and win 6-1? Nobody.
3. Tottenham have shown it isn’t impossible
With the utmost respect to Tottenham Hotspur, they have hardly set the world alight this season. Chasing the final Champions League spot, just like United, their fans travelled to the Etihad a fortnight ago no doubt anticipating another defeat against one of the big-six.
However, in true, unexpected Premier League fashion, they produced an excellent away performance to win 3-2. Although they won it in dramatic fashion, and had just 29 per cent of the ball, they executed Antonio Conte’s approach to perfection.
United are capable of a similar performance.
4. United can replicate previous tactics
Although United’s plan to hit City on the break failed miserably at Old Trafford back in November, it will be different this time. United are away from home and opening up against City at the Etihad is a recipe for disaster, especially if Guardiola’s troops are firing on all cylinders.
With Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Anthony Elanga all capable of carrying the ball at their feet with speed, United must look to hit City on the counter-attack. It may prove to be a waiting game, but as proven in their 2021 and 2019 triumphs, having more of the ball means nothing.
5. Cristiano Ronaldo
On current form, it may sound foolish to suggest that Ronaldo can play a pivotal part in United’s attempts to bring City to their knees. However, a player of his stature and quality does not suddenly become a bad player overnight.
Experienced in playing in big matches, both domestically and in Europe, Ronaldo will be determined to leave his calling card — especially after failing to score in his last three games in all competitions. United will need to make the use of their wide players, however, to ensure he can produce his magic.
Crosses into the box will be key for him.
6. Anthony Elanga
Young. Fearless. Energetic. Elanga will be relishing his almost certain first taste of a Manchester derby.
Similar to when Rashford experienced this fixture for the first time in March 2016, Elanga is likely to be the player that United’s supporters will feast their eyes on in hope of inspiration. After scoring against Atletico and Leeds, confidence will be flowing through the winger’s veins.
He will be key in trying to help United hurt City on the counter-attack. As well as that, you can almost sense that his first derby day experience could feature a fairytale moment.
7. Ruben Dias’ absence
It is hard to spot a weakness at any juncture in City’s squad. However, the loss of Dias ahead of the derby is bound to be felt by the Blues.
It can surely only increase United’s chances of victory. So often the man that is the glue that holds City’s defence together, Dias will be sorely missed. But with John Stones likely to step in and line-up alongside Aymeric Laporte, City will remain strong, even if they’re not as strong as they would like to be.
8. Title race jitters
With Liverpool breathing down City’s neck at the top of the table, it is only natural that Guardiola’s side could experience some nerves. There is no room for error as far as the Blues are concerned and the defeat to Spurs showed that they can experience the odd setback.
-MEN
Liverpool will have to wait for a few more days to be crowned Premier League champions despite a 1-0 victory at Leicester City after Arsenal kept their slender hopes just about alive with a 4-0 romp at 10-man Ipswich Town on Sunday.
Trent Alexander-Arnold came off the bench to score Liverpool’s winner in the 76th minute at the King Power Stadium to restore their 13-point lead at the top with five games left.
While Liverpool can almost taste a record-equalling 20th English crown, Leicester’s defeat confirmed their relegation back to the Championship after just one season.
The Midlands club have now been relegated from England’s top flight a record 13 times.
Chelsea secured a massive win in their bid to qualify for the Champions League as they came from behind to beat Fulham 2-1 at Craven Cottage with Pedro Neto scoring in stoppage time.
The win pushed Chelsea above Nottingham Forest in to fifth place, the last spot for qualification to the Champions League, although Forest play at Tottenham Hotspur on Monday.
Chelsea have 57 points from 33 games, two behind third-placed Newcastle United and one behind Manchester City. Forest and Aston Villa are level with Chelsea on 57 points.
Wolverhampton Wanderers guaranteed their safety as they beat Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford. Pablo Sarabia’s stunning free kick wrapped up a fifth successive league win, the first time Wolves have achieved that in the top flight since 1970.
Liverpool were wasteful at Leicester with numerous chances going begging and Mohamed Salah suffering a frustrating afternoon including hitting both posts with an early shot.
Salah hit the woodwork again moments before the ball came out to Alexander-Arnold who fired a left-footed shot through the crowd to give his side the points — ripping off his shirt and celebrating wildly with the travelling fans.
“We just keep going, mentally we’re really strong,” manager Arne Slot, whose side could be crowned champions if Arsenal lose at home to Crystal Palace on Wednesday, told Sky Sports.
“They enjoy playing football and it helps when you are playing for something special. Today (Alexander-Arnold) knows when it matters most he can just bring a bit more which is something all the top, top players have.”
DISTANT SECOND
If Arsenal avoid defeat by Palace, Slot’s side will seal the title if they beat Tottenham Hotspur at home next Sunday.
“We will focus on Tottenham and looking forward again to a home game and I think the stadium will be full,” Slot, who can become the first Dutch manager to win the English title, said. “It’s a nice game to look forward to.”
Liverpool have 79 points with Arsenal a distant second on 66. Arsenal may have their eyes now on a Champions League semi-final against Paris St Germain, but they showed against Ipswich they will not hand over the title to Liverpool.
Leandro Trossard opened the scoring early on and Gabriel Martinelli made it 2-0 after a delightful flick by Mikel Merino.
Ipswich were reduced to 10 men before halftime as Leif Davis crudely raked his studs down the back of Bukayo Saka’s calf and the second half was academic.
Trossard grabbed his second in the 69th minute and Ethan Nwaneri added a late fourth to leave Ipswich stuck in 18th place on 21 points. They will be relegated if they drop points again or 17th-placed West Ham United pick up one more point from their remaining five games.
Chelsea were heading for a damaging defeat at neighbours Fulham as the hosts led with Alex Iwobi’s 20th-minute goal.
Substitute Tyrique George equalised with an instinctive shot in the 83rd minute, his first Premier League goal, before winger Neto swivelled and unleashed a thunderous strike in stoppage time to send the away fans wild.
Manchester United reached the Europa League semi-final with an astonishing comeback win against French club Olympique Lyonnais on Thursday but their Premier League woes returned against Wolves.
They are in 14th place and have now lost eight Premier League home games this season, their most defeats at Old Trafford in a league campaign since 1962-63.
“Wolves scored in the only opportunity they had. we had many chances, and we didn’t score. If you don’t score goals, you are not going to win games,” manager Ruben Amorim said.
-Reuters
Egyptian outlet, Ahram, has reported that Mohamed Salah has signed a new contract with Liverpool, extending his stay at Anfield beyond the 2024-25 season as he prepares for what could be the final chapter of a storied career with the club.
While the terms of the agreement were not disclosed, British media reports indicate the 32-year-old forward has signed a two-year extension, keeping him at the club until at least 2027.
Salah, who joined Liverpool from AS Roma in 2017, has become a modern-day icon at Anfield.
The Egyptian international has scored 243 goals in 394 appearances—third on the club’s all-time scorers list—and has helped the Reds secure seven major trophies, including the Premier League and Champions League titles.
“I had my best years here,” Salah told the club’s website. “Hopefully it’s going to be 10. I signed because I believe we can still win big trophies together.”
He has maintained his prolific form this season, scoring 32 goals and providing 22 assists in 45 appearances across all competitions. His 27 Premier League goals currently lead the division.
During his time with Liverpool, Salah has won the Premier League Golden Boot three times, been named the PFA Players’ Player of the Year twice, and claimed two FWA Footballer of the Year awards.
Now entering the latter stages of his career, Salah remains focused on adding more silverware to his collection and further cementing his legacy at Liverpool.
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Leicester City’s Jeremy Monga, who became the second-youngest Premier League player when he made his senior debut in Monday’s 3-0 loss to Newcastle United, had to wear a blank shirt because it is sponsored by an online cryptocurrency gaming platform.
Britain’s Gambling Act 2005, which underwent a review in 2020, prohibits players under 18 from wearing kits displaying gambling sponsors. Monga, an England U16 international, made his senior debut at 15 years 271 days old.
Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri remains the youngest Premier League player in history, having debuted in the competition when he was 90 days younger than Monga.
Leicester, who suffered an eighth straight loss in the league without scoring a goal, are 19th in the standings, 15 points below the safety zone.
-Reuters
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