Who: Manchester City vs Manchester United
What: Premier League football
When: Sunday, March 3, 2024, 15:30 GMT
Where: Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England
Manchester City supervisor Pep Guardiola states the Premier League champs are prepared for competitors Manchester United to attempt to “close the space” ahead of Sunday’s derby match at the Etihad Stadium.
City are simply one point behind league leaders Liverpool, who take a trip to Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
United are 8 points off Aston Villa in 4th area, the 4th Champions League credentials area.
New minority owner at Old Trafford, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, set out his strategies to return the 20-time English champs to the top when he finished his acquisition of 27 percent of the club’s shares this month, consisting of re-establishing the chain of command in the city.
Ahead of Sunday’s match, Guardiola confesses the current modification at United is most likely to alter matters.
“Sir Jim and others understand the medical diagnosis of the club. If Sir Jim stated they require 2 or 3 years to be there, who am I to state the reverse?” the supervisor stated.
“I’m sure they will work to close the space.”
Mikel Arteta
Pep Guardiola
Erik 10 HagJust one can win February’s @BarclaysFooty Manager of the Month award! #PLAwards|Vote https://t.co/ynFTphsa0X pic.twitter.com/W3cnwW7Jzx
— Premier League (@premierleague) February 29, 2024
Last season’s treble winners, City likewise included the European Super Cup and Club World Cup to their haul by the end of 2023.
Guardiola states he understands this period of supremacy on the blue side of Manchester will end ultimately, however he’s identified it will not be anytime quickly.
“In the ’80s it was Liverpool, the ’90s, it was United– now we are this several years, winning 7 Premier League titles in the last 11, 12 years,” he stated.
“It has actually occurred, however in 50 or 60 years, there has never ever in one nation been a club that controls and manages whatever, so we can attempt to extend for as several years as possible what we are attempting to do.”
United’s Premier fight for a Champions League area
Not feasting at the leading table, United have their own fights to battle and Champions League certification is leading of their program. A home defeat by Fulham last weekend ended a seven-game unbeaten run, however United supervisor Erik 10 Hag stays in bold state of mind.
“We are likewise on a great run. The spirit is excellent,” he stated.
“We have actually done it before versus City, likewise versus Liverpool. We will prepare well. The gamers are eagerly anticipating it. I can smell it. I’m delighted.”
City beat United in the FA Cup final last season en route to imitating the domestic treble just their competitors, in 1999, had actually formerly attained.
This component last season led to an embarrassing 6-3 defeat, although United did win at Old Trafford. That was not the case this season however, with City declaring a 3-0 win in the reverse component in October.
“We require a terrific day,” 10 Hag confessed. “We like the obstacle and we are eagerly anticipating the obstacle with them. We understand we need to provide whatever and reveal a group efficiency if we wish to get the outcome. If you do it, it is possible.”
3 Mar: Man Utd
6 Mar: Champions League round of 16
10 Mar: Liverpool
16 Mar: FA Cup quarter-final
31 Mar: Arsenal
3 Apr: Aston VillaPep Guardiola is anticipating @ManCity’s upcoming run of components pic.twitter.com/2SWB7nLEqt
— Premier League (@premierleague) March 1, 2024
Following the United video game, City deal with a hard run of video games facing their title competitors Liverpool and Arsenal in the league, together with their Champions League last 16-second leg with Copenhagen on Wednesday.
“I choose that than the opposite,” Guardiola stated on the obstacle he deals with in all competitors. “We have 20 essential gamers. We have actually had essential gamers out hurt and still succeeded.
“So great to play the components. They are the very best. An opportunity to get to the quarterfinals of the Champions League, then Anfield, a possibility versus Newcastle United [in the FA Cup] — we work to show up here to live these minutes.”
Type guide
Manchester City’s season has actually gotten rate considering that their Club World Cup accomplishment in December. Pep Guardiola’s side have actually won 14 of their last 15 video games and are unbeaten in their last 18 video games.
United had actually been on a seven-game unbeaten run up until Fulham’s surprise win at Old Trafford in the Premier League last weekend. Erik 10 Hag’s side went back to winning method the FA Cup in midweek by conquering Nottingham Forest 1-0.
Head-to-head
The Manchester competitors initially dealt with each other in the old Division Two in England in November 1894. United won 5-2 at City before sealing the double over their neighbours with a 4-1 win in the return component in January 1985.
There have actually been 190 conferences in overall with United winning 77 to City’s 60.
Group news
Manchester City lack Jack Grealish, who hurt his groin in the FA Cup at Luton on Tuesday.
Protector Josko Gvardiol is close to a return from an ankle injury however the derby is most likely to be prematurely.
Manchester City anticipated lineup: Ederson; Kyle Walker, Josh Stones, Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake; Rodri; Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva, Julian Alvarez, Jeremy Doku; Erling Haaland
Manchester United’s primary absentees are protector Luke Shaw and striker Rasmus Hojlund. Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are likewise all missing from the back line.
Manchester United forecasted lineup: Andre Onana; Diogo Dalot, Raphael Varane, Jonny Evans, Victor Lindelof; Kobbie Mainoo, Casemiro; Christian Eriksen, Bruno Fernandes, Alejandro Garnacho, Marcus Rashford