Manchester Metropolis depart Manchester and head in the direction of the sting of Salford as they face Manchester United at Outdated Trafford. After being greeted by three straight Premier League attracts initially of 2026, the Blues bought again to successful methods, beating Exeter 10-1 within the FA Cup and placing one foot inside Wembley after beating Newcastle at St James’s Park on Tuesday night time within the League Cup semi-final.
Metropolis are unbeaten in 13 matches in all competitions, having recorded an ideal December, and their final defeat was a 2-0 residence loss to Bayer Leverkusen. The Blues will go into the match, boosted by the arrival of Antoine Semenyo, a one-time goal for United, and the apparently imminent of Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi. Semenyo has scored twice in his first two matches (technically three if it wasn’t for VAR), and the signing of Guehi will shore up the defence, particularly at a time of a defensive disaster.
Commercial
United are in disarray in the intervening time. The most recent saviour to enter Outdated Trafford, Ruben Amorim, was dismissed and now, Michael Carrick, an obvious ‘legend’ on the membership, is the person tasked with saving United’s season from mid-table obscurity.
They’ve received three of their final 13 video games, and, having misplaced within the League Cup to Grimsby, no European soccer and Brighton knocking them out of the FA Cup final weekend, a high-placed end is all they now must play for, and the Reds can be determined for a win towards the Blues to maintain their Convention League aspirations alive.
It’s a derby that Metropolis will little doubt go into as favourites, however they are going to must be cautious with United enjoying the primary of their seventeen remaining cup finals.
As at all times, our group are are to present us their views and opinions on Saturday’s match. Right here’s what we predict this week.
Commercial
Saul
Derby time! Need to again Metropolis with gamers in type, using a semi excessive. Metropolis wins 4-1.
United 1-4 Metropolis
Thomas
Meet the brand new boss, Michael Carrick, for now, till the subsequent new boss. What a option to run a soccer membership. Anyway, Yahnited are in a shambles once more. Simply 2 wins of their final 9, and already crashed out of the League Cup and the FA Cup. Oh, and no European soccer both. Cool. A Metropolis win at Outdated Trafford and a Semenyo double.
Stretford Rangers 0-4 Metropolis
Will
United may need their new supervisor bounce below Michael Carrick – however after a convincing win within the North East in Tuesday Metropolis ought to romp to victory.
Commercial
United 0-3 Metropolis
Pete
Cautious as at all times on derby day. Metropolis on a high-quality run of type, whereas United are simply shambolic. Properly, that’s a United win then, isn’t it? I believe we’ll take this one and, whereas I actually need one other 6-1 however with out the 1, I’ll take any victory at Outdated Trafford.
United 0-2 Metropolis
What occurred towards Newcastle
A tough-fought match ended with victory for the mighty Blues. Antoine Semenyo, the brand new bench hotter, scored once more in his second match and had a purpose disallowed as a result of the fingernail on Erling Haaland’s proper hand little finger had strayed offside. Lower your nails, Erling!
Thomas went for a 2-1 win, having little religion in our defence (all a part of being a Blue), while Will went for 2-2. Pete picked up additional factors (and we thought Christmas was a time for miracles) as he predicted a 3-1 win so he will get 2 factors for the proper purpose distinction (getting giddy as solely three factors behind Saul).
Right here’s the desk: