5 things to expect from Manchester City vs Manchester United

Manchester United v Manchester City - Premier League
City were victorious last time out

The Manchester Derby is one of the most anticipated derbies of the football calendar, with Premier League giants Manchester United and Manchester City locking horns in a battle for supremacy.

Although the Red Devils have tasted more success in comparison to their neighbors, these successes by no means guarantee that City are inferior on the day to United.

Manchester City, have evolved into one of the mega rich super-clubs of the planet ever since billionaire Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed took over the running of the club. With two league titles in the last ten years, an FA Cup and a League Cup in their kitty, they look set to end the red dominance in the years to come.

United will be fighting to uphold their dominance. Here are the five things to watch out for.


#1 Can City win the Premier League against United?

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Manchester City last won the Premier League title in 2014

Manchester City won their last Premier League title in 2013-14 under manager Manuel Pellegrini, by defeating West Ham United 2-0 on the last day of the Premier League.

This time, they have got a golden opportunity to wrap up the Premier League title race, and can win the 2017-18 season by defeating Manchester United at the Etihad. This would serve as the icing on the cake for every City fan.

They currently sit on top the Premier League table with 84 points, 16 points ahead of second-placed Manchester United, with seven games to spare. Gaining three points today will lead City to their third title, courtesy of their consistency.

All stats via PremierLeague

#2 Mourinho vs Guardiola

Manchester United v Manchester City - Premier League
Two of the greatest managers in the game go head to head once again

Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola have been fierce rivals since their time managing the Spanish giants, Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively. The feud between the two, complimented by a war-of-words, has escalated to a higher intensity.

When they were appointed as the managers of the Manchester clubs, the world was anxious to see how ferocious their rivalry would be. To be honest, it hasn't abated a bit.

Back in December 2017, City edged United by a narrow margin of 2-1 courtesy of a winning goal scored Nicolas Otamendi.

Both of them are the best in business, with unmatched tactical prowess and sound knowledge of the game. Only time will tell, who will come out on top.

#3 Will Manchester City bounce back after the Champions League defeat?

Liverpool v Manchester City - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Leg One
Will City bounce back after the defeat to Liverpool?

No one expected Liverpool to defeat Manchester City by a margin as large as 3-0, when they met each other midweek in the Champions League quarter-final.

A subtle finish from Mohammed Salah, a screamer from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and a jumping header from Sadio Mane were enough to do the damage and put Liverpool in the driving seat for the second leg to be played at the Etihad next week.

With such a huge encounter against United tomorrow, it remains to be seen whether City will be able to rise up to the occasion after the heavy defeat.

Will Guardiola field a weakened team? We all have to wait and see what he decides.

#4 Aguero vs Lukaku

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Who will prevail tomorrow? Aguero or Lukaku?

Romelu Lukaku has come under heavy criticism this season, but his manager has fiercely defended his contributions to the team. He has been looking good in recent games and has scored a decent 27 goals this season.

His ability to battle off defenders could come in handy, against the physique of Kompany and Otamendi.

In Sergio Aguero, Manchester City have the Premier League's most consistent forward who has scored at least 15 goals in each of the last five seasons.

Aguero is in doubt for Saturday's high octane clash because of a knee injury and is in a race against time to be fit. He has scored a total of 31 goals this season, and will look to add to his tally if he plays today.

Will Sergio Aguero score the winner tomorrow and give City the title, just like he did in 2011-12 against Queens Park Rangers?

#5 Exhibition of attacking talent

Manchester City v West Bromwich Albion - Premier League
Kevin de Bruyne is a probable winner of the PFA Player of the Year Award 2018

Manchester United's front three are slowly turning into a reliable unit. Romelu Lukaku is finally scoring goals like he is known to. Anthony Martial and Alexis Sanchez are lethal on the left wing, and can easily outfox opponents.

Juan Mata is the most experienced of them all and bosses the midfield. Marcus Rashford is the goal-scoring golden boy, and there is in-form Jesse Lingard.

On the other hand, Manchester City have the best player in this edition of the Premier League, Kevin de Bruyne who controls the game impeccably.

The German wonder-kid Leroy Sane has seamlessly adapted into the English game, and David Silva remains dangerous as always. Gundogan dictates the midfield, with Aguero and Gabriel Jesus upfront to wreak havoc against opposition defences.

These teams have a lot of attacking talent at their disposal, and we can safely expect a healthy dose of goals in this match-up.

It will be interesting to see the outcome of the match, because both teams will give it their all. We can certainly expect a highly pulsating encounter.

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Edited by Anthony Akatugba Jr.