WHO: Manchester Metropolis vs Manchester United
What you do : Premier League soccer
By the point: Sunday, March 3, 2024, 15:30 GMT
The place: Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England

Manchester Metropolis supervisor Pep Guardiola says the Premier League champions are prepared for rivals Manchester United to try to “shut the hole” forward of Sunday's derby on the Etihad Stadium.

Metropolis are only a level behind league leaders Liverpool, who journey to Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

United are eight factors behind fourth-placed Aston Villa, the fourth-placed Champions League qualifier.

Outdated Trafford's new minority proprietor Sir Jim Ratcliffe unveiled his plans to return the 20-time English champions to the highest when he accomplished the acquisition of a 27 per cent stake within the membership this month , together with the re-establishment of the pecking order on the earth. metropolis

Forward of Sunday's sport, Guardiola admitted that the current change at United is prone to change issues.

“Sir Jim and others know the prognosis of the membership. If Sir Jim stated they want two or three years to be right here, who am I to say in any other case?” stated the supervisor.

“I'm certain they're working to shut the hole.”

Final season's treble winners, Metropolis have additionally added the European Tremendous Cup and Membership World Cup to their run till the tip of 2023.

Guardiola says he is aware of that this period of dominance within the blue aspect of Manchester will finally finish, however he’s decided that it’ll not be quickly.

“Within the 80s it was Liverpool, within the 90s, it was United – now we’re so a few years, profitable seven Premier League titles within the final 11, 12 years,” he stated.

“It occurred, however in 50 or 60 years, there has by no means been in a rustic a membership that dominates and controls all the pieces, so we will attempt to lengthen as a few years as attainable what we try to do.”

The battle of the Premier United for a spot within the Champions League

Though they don’t seem to be celebrating on the prime of the desk, United have their battles to combat and Champions League qualification is on the prime of their agenda. A house defeat by Fulham final weekend ended a seven-game unbeaten run, however United supervisor Erik ten Hag stays in defiant temper.

“We’re nonetheless in a superb race. The spirit is superb,” he stated.

“We did it earlier than in opposition to Metropolis, additionally in opposition to Liverpool. We’ll put together effectively. The gamers count on it. I can scent it. I'm excited.”

Metropolis defeated United within the FA Cup remaining final season to emulate the home treble solely their rivals, in 1999, had beforehand achieved.

This match final season resulted in a humiliating 6-3 defeat, though United gained at Outdated Trafford. That was not the case this season, nonetheless, as Metropolis claimed a 3-0 win within the reverse fixture in October.

“We’d like a superb day,” ten Hag admitted. “We just like the problem and we sit up for the problem with them. We all know that we have now to offer all the pieces and present a group efficiency if we wish to get the outcome. However in the event you do, it’s attainable.”

After the United sport, Metropolis face a troublesome run of video games dealing with title rivals Liverpool and Arsenal within the league, together with their Champions League last-16 tie with Copenhagen on Wednesday.

“I want the one which the other,” stated Guardiola concerning the problem he faces in all competitions. “Key gamers, we have now 20 key gamers. We had key gamers out injured and nonetheless did effectively.

“So good to play the video games. They’re the most effective. An opportunity to succeed in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, then Anfield, an opportunity in opposition to Newcastle United [in the FA Cup] – We work to get right here to stay these moments.

Type information

Manchester Metropolis's season has picked up tempo since their Membership World Cup triumph in December. Pep Guardiola's aspect have gained 14 of their final 15 video games and are unbeaten of their final 18 video games.

United had been on a seven-game unbeaten run till Fulham's shock win at Outdated Trafford within the Premier League final weekend. Erik ten Hag's aspect returned to profitable methods within the FA Cup in midweek by beating Nottingham Forest 1-0.

Face to face

The Manchester rivals first met in England's former Division Two in November 1894. United gained 5-2 at Metropolis earlier than sealing the double over their neighbors with a 4-1 win within the January spherical 1985.

There have been 190 conferences in complete with United profitable 77 to Metropolis's 60.

Crew information

Manchester Metropolis are with out Jack Grealish, who injured his groin within the FA Cup tie at Luton on Tuesday.

Defender Josko Gvardiol is near a return from an ankle harm however the derby might be too quickly.

Manchester Metropolis has deliberate the formation: Ederson; Kyle Walker, Josh Stones, Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake; Rodri; Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva, Julian Alvarez, Jeremy Doku; Erling Haaland

Manchester United's most important absentees are defender Luke Shaw and striker Rasmus Hojlund. Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are additionally all absent from the again line.

Manchester United has deliberate the formation: Andrew Onana; Diogo Dalot, Raphael Varane, Jonny Evans, Victor Lindelof; Kobbie Mainoo, Casemiro; Christian Eriksen, Bruno Fernandes, Alexander Garnacho, Marcus Rashford



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