Manchester Metropolis journey to Outdated Trafford to face Manchester United within the 198th Manchester Derby.
The Blues are off the again of two incredible ends in the cups, beating Exeter Metropolis 10-1 within the FA Cup third spherical and incomes a tough fought 2-0 away victory in opposition to Newcastle United within the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi closing.
Commercial
United in the meantime, are having one other beneath par season, lately sacking supervisor Ruben Amorim after 15 months within the job and changing him with former participant Michael Carrick on an interim foundation till the top of the season.
Listed below are 5 issues to look out for within the Manchester Derby:
How will Carrick truthful?
The large story heading into the sport is Carrick’s first sport as United’s official interim supervisor.
He had a quick stint as caretaker supervisor after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked in 2021, profitable two and drawing one in all his video games earlier than Ralf Ragnick was introduced in for the remainder of the season.
The previous England midfielder then spent almost three years managing Middlesborough, earlier than he was sacked and changed with Rob Edwards this summer time.
Commercial
His teaching credentials are first rate, and he was a preferred appointment with the followers having made 464 appearances for United. Nevertheless, will probably be tough for him figuring out that he most likely gained’t be within the job this time subsequent yr, figuring out the Pink Devils will likely be searching for a longtime supervisor to nominate this summer time.
And in the case of evaluating him with Guardiola, there simply aren’t any similarities. The Metropolis boss has expertise and trophies to his identify that 44-year-old Carrick hasn’t been in a position to accumulate but.
It’s an enormous first check for the brand new United head coach, however one he’ll relish going up in opposition to the perfect in Guardiola and Metropolis.
Cherki on the bench however determined for his revenge in opposition to United
I anticipate Metropolis to maintain the crew that gained in opposition to Newcastle roughly the identical, and that features the entrance 4.
Commercial
Antoine Semenyo and Jeremy Doku each had wonderful second halves, with the latter’s cross being turned house by the previous with a contact from Bernardo Silva alongside the best way to provide Metropolis the lead.
Erling Haaland and Phil Foden haven’t been in nice type of late, however they’re each huge Metropolis followers and love a derby purpose. Haaland specifically needn’t fear about his beginning place, and I additionally anticipate Foden to start out at quantity ten.
This implies a spot on the bench for Rayan Cherki. The Frenchman sparkled approaching in opposition to the Magpies and when signing for Metropolis, vowed for revenge in opposition to their largest rivals.
Cherki was part of the Lyon crew that suffered an unbelievable comeback loss in opposition to Amorim’s aspect final season, so he’ll be itching to get one again at United at Outdated Trafford.
Commercial
Semenyo x Doku wing pairing once more
As talked about above, I assumed Doku and Semenyo each performed excellently effectively in opposition to Newcastle.
Semenyo scored, and will’ve had a second if it wasn’t for a ridiculous VAR name to rule the purpose out for offside.
Doku, in the meantime, gave Lewis Miley a tough sport and in the end created the primary purpose even when not credited with the help.
I anticipate them each to start out in opposition to the Pink Devils on Saturday morning, the place they’ll be trying to get on the entrance foot and trigger the defenders chaos.
Rodri beginning
After resting in midweek (and contemplating Metropolis solely have Bodo Glint on Tuesday) I believe Rodri will begin in opposition to United.
Commercial
The 29-year-old is slowly however absolutely gaining extra minutes as Guardiola eases him again into the aspect, as he missed final season with an ACL tear and the start of this yr with subsequent muscle accidents.
However he began latest video games in opposition to Chelsea and Exeter and gained vital minutes in each different sport in 2026, so I believe he’s prepared to start out once more and relaxation for Nico Gonzalez on Tuesday evening.
Metropolis feeling the strain to finish the slide
The final two outcomes Metropolis have earned within the cups means individuals are forgetting the Blues have truly drawn three Premier League video games in a row.
They had been struggling to attain objectives earlier than these two video games, and seemed leaky on the again with loads of gamers lacking by damage and people who had been match working on fumes.
They’ll really feel strain to maintain up with Arsenal within the title race and to win on derby day for the followers, so it could possibly be a nervy affair.