Manchester United vs Manchester City – Match preview and team news

The Football Faithful

·6 April 2025

Manchester United vs Manchester City – Match preview and team news

The 196th Manchester derby takes place later day with Manchester United hosting arch-rivals Manchester City.

Ruben Amorim’s side will be looking to make amends after Nottingham Forest inflicted another blemish against their record.

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In terms of team news, United academy product Kobbie Mainoo will be assessed to determine his availability. The teenager has missed the last two months of action with an unspecified muscular problem.

It's a big Sunday in the Premier League.
– Minggu, 6 April 2025

Matthijs de Ligt’s fitness is a doubt after picking up a knock against Forest. Meanwhile fellow defenders Luke Shaw, Jonny Evans and Ayden Heaven remain out.

Revenge is on the agenda for Manchester City after they dramatically lost the reverse fixture at the Etihad Stadium.

During the week, City legend Kevin De Bruyne announced that he would be departing the club at the end of the season.

The Belgian is widely-regarded as one of the best midfielders in Premier League history. Only Ryan Giggs has picked up more assists than the 118 De Bruyne has recorded so far in the competition’s history.

Elsewhere, Oscar Bobb came off the bench against Leicester on Wednesday which put an end to a draining battle recovering from a broken leg. Erling Haaland, Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake and Rodri are definite absentees for the local clash.

Manchester United vs Manchester City – Match preview and team news

Form

Manchester United: DDWWL

United’s seven-game unbeaten run came to an end on Tuesday night at the hands of high-flying Nottingham Forest.

Former Manchester United winger Anthony Elanga scored the winning goal after sprinting the length of the pitch and drilling a finish past Andre Onana.

Despite their best efforts, the Red Devils couldn’t respond and were conquered for the thirteenth time this term.

Preparations for their Europa League quarter-final tie with Lyon next Thursday are likely to already be in motion.

United’s approach to today’s game will be intriguing considering what’s at stake in Europe. Ultimately, they have very little to fight for domestically and winning the Europa League would help solve several issues for Ruben Amorim.

Manchester City: WLDWW

It was a comfortable Wednesday evening for the reigning champions as they swept aside a toothless Leicester City.

Jack Grealish and Omar Marmoush grabbed the goals to see City remain inside the coveted top five.

Yesterday afternoon, Aston Villa drew level on points with Pep Guardiola’s team, albeit having played a game more.

The last time the Cityzens weren’t competing in the Champions League was back in the 2010/11 campaign. A damning defeat today could be the start of the termination of that 15-year long affiliation.

Last Meeting: Manchester City 1-2 Manchester United, Premier League, 15th December 2024

Amad wrote himself into United folklore with a last-gasp winner at the home of their fierce rivals last December.

After a largely uneventful first half, City went into the interval in front courtesy of Josko Gvardiol.

A short corner routine resulted in Kevin De Bruyne’s cross deflecting off Amad and onto the head of the Croatian defender. United goalkeeper Andre Onana was merely a bystander as the ball flew into the net.

Pep Guardiola’s side pressed for a second and Phil Foden’s deflected drive from distance needed an intervention from the Cameroonian stopper.

United began to impose themselves on proceedings and Amad’s deft header had Ederson scrambling across his goal-line.

The Red Devils then thought they should have been awarded a penalty following Ruben Dias’ tackle on Rasmus Hojlund. A closer inspection suggested United may have had a case, with the defender not playing the ball.

Gaps started to appear in a fractured City defence and Bruno Fernandes missed a gilt-edged opportunity after ghosting in behind. The captain’s decision to chip his effort saw it agonisingly miss the mark.

With two minutes remaining, Matheus Nunes committed an avoidable foul inside the box to give the opposition a penalty. The make-shift right-back’s challenge on Amad lacked experience and displayed his defensive vulnerabilities.

Fernandes sent Ederson the wrong way from 12 yards to stage a grandstand finish at the Etihad Stadium.

The lively Amad had caused issues for City all evening and he proved to be their nemesis in the dying embers.

The Ivorian elegantly beat Ederson to the ball before accurately squeezing a finish past Gvardiol on the line.

Ruben Amorim’s first Manchester derby ended in dramatic fashion with the red half of the city claiming the bragging rights.

Predicted Line-ups

Manchester United: Onana; Dalot, Yoro, Maguire, Mazraoui, Dorgu; Ugarte, Fernandes; Garnacho, Zirkzee, Hojlund

Manchester City: Ederson; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Gonzalez, Kovacic; Foden, Silva, Savinho; Marmoush

Who is the referee?

John Brooks will be the match official. Simon Bennett and Dan Robathan will assist him while Tony Harrington will be the fourth official. The VAR will be Paul Tierney and he will be assisted by Tim Wood.