Evans comes into United defence
Man Utd (4-3-2-1): 24 Onana; 20 Dalot, 19 Varane, 35 Evans, 2 Lindelof; 37 Mainoo, 18 Casemiro, 39 McTominay; 8 Fernandes, 17 Garnacho; 10 Rashford
Subs: 1 Bayindir, 4 Amrabat, 14 Eriksen, 16 Diallo, 21 Antony, 53 Kambwala, 62 Forson, 65 Collyer, 75 Ogunneye
De Bruyne starts for City
Man City (4-2-3-1): 31 Ederson; 2 Walker, 5 Stones, 3 Dias, 6 Ake; 16 Rodri, 20 Silva; 47 Foden, 17 De Bruyne, 11 Doku; 9 Haaland
Subs: 18 Ortega, 8 Kovacic, 19 Alvarez, 21 Gomez, 24 Gvardiol, 25 Akanji, 27 Nunes, 52 Bobb, 82 Lewis
Noisy neighbours turn it up
Once labelled as Manchester United’s irritating noisy neighbours, Manchester City are now partying until all hours when it comes to derby day.
The Citizens have won four of the last five Premier League meetings with United (L1) – as many victories as they had conjured up in the previous 13 clashes (D3 L6).
And at the Etihad Stadium, it has been emphatic of late.
The last two derbies here have seen City clock up 10 goals with a 4-1 win in 2021-22, and a 6-3 success last season.
The last time Manchester’s sky blue side went on a longer run of home wins against their rivals was between August 1952 and September 1955 (4).
Bookies expect another blue day
Fierce local derbies are so often too close – and too crucial – to call, but today the bookmakers anticipate a City stroll for Pep Guardiola’s men.
As such, the reigning Premier League champions have been chalked up at heavily odds-on with a Manchester United win bigger than an 8/1 shot.
- Man City win 1/4
- Draw 11/2
- Man Utd win 17/2
Odds from Paddy Power correct at time of post publication.
It’s derby day in Manchester
Good afternoon and welcome to live SunSport coverage of Manchester City against Manchester United in the Premier League.
As ever, the bragging rights are huge, but this clash between neighbours is absolutely crucial to matters at the top of the table.
After Liverpool’s last-gasp success yesterday, the onus is back on the reigning champions to keep the gap at a single point with 11 games remaining.
City would only do that with a home win, but this is a derby just as important to the immediate future of Manchester United.
The Red Devils have lost ground in their fight for Champions League football with last week’s deserved defeat to Fulham compounded by Aston Villa and Tottenham clawing out victories this weekend.
With Sir Jim Ratcliffe now confirmed as co-owner of the club, expectations have risen – and that means starting today with a performance worthy of a local derby.
It’s a 3.30pm kick-off at the Etihad Stadium, and we’ll soon have confirmation of the two starting line-ups.
