Image copyright: Getty Images
2024/25 English Premier League
Matchday 16
Manchester City v Manchester United
Etihad Stadium
Manchester, England
Sunday, 15 December 2024
Kick-off is at 18h30
The
195th Manchester derby couldn't have come at a worse time for Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim as he looks to arrest a two-match losing streak against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, December 15.
Amorim went unbeaten in his opening two games at the helm, but is desperate to turn things around after suffering back-to-back defeats against Arsenal and Nottingham Forest.
The Red Devils made a poor start against the Tricky Trees, conceding in the second minute, although Rasmus Hojlund managed to restore parity on 18 minutes. However, Andre Onana was culpable for Forest's second and third goals and the goalkeeper has now shipped 18 goals in 15 appearances.
United are languishing down in 13th position, four points outside the top 10 and eight shy of the UEFA Champions League places, but there is hope as City are in their worst form since Pep Guardiola's arrival in 2016.
The Citizens finally halted an unprecedented four-game skid with a 3-0 triumph over Forest on December 4, but they dropped yet more points in a 2-2 draw at Crystal Palace three days later.
Guardiola's side trail league leaders Liverpool by eight points in fourth spot, having played one match more, while they are two behind Arsenal (3rd) and further two adrift of Chelsea (2nd).
Image copyright: Getty Images
The hosts continue to be without the influential Rodri (knee) as well as Oscar Bobb (calf), Mateo Kovacic and Nathan Ake (thigh), while Rico Lewis is suspended following his red card against Palace. John Stones (ankle), Manuel Akanji and Phil Foden (illness) could come back into contention.
Victor Lindelof (groin) is closing in on a return for the visitors, but Jonny Evans and Luke Shaw (calf) remain on the treatment table.
Guardiola was pleased with how his players applied themselves in appalling weather conditions due to Storm Darragh as they twice battled back from behind to earn a point with 10 men.
"We take the point. I'm proud of the players for how they fought and came back twice in difficult conditions - for both sides, not just for us," the Spaniard said.
"But we fought hard as always, and we'll take the point. We played the last 15 minutes with 10 versus 11. We have many important players injured - many players with many minutes but the physicality is there - but we were there, and we did everything we could to win, and I am so pleased and proud of the players."
Image Source: Alamy Stock Photo
Amorim saw some improvement from the loss to the Gunners, but was disappointed at the lack of chances created and insisted they need positive results to help speed up the process.
"We improved, I think, the movement in the last third, especially in the beginning of the first half. But we lose the game and didn't have many situations to score," the Portuguese said.
"But we managed to have some combinations, especially if you see our first goal. We have to continue improving in some aspects. We have to win games to help us improve the team."
Head-to-Head (Last Five Premier League Meetings)
Matches - 5
Man City wins - 4
Man United wins - 1
Draws - 0
Premier League Matchday 16 fixtures:
Saturday, December 14
17h00: Arsenal v Everton
17h00: Liverpool v Fulham
17h00: Newcastle United v Leicester City
17h00: Wolverhampton Wanderers v Ipswich Town
19h30: Nottingham Forest v Aston Villa
Sunday, December 15
16h00: Brighton & Hove Albion v Crystal Palace
18h30: Manchester City v Manchester United
21h00: Chelsea v Brentford
21h00: Southampton v Tottenham Hotspur
Monday, December 16
22h00: Bournemouth v West Ham United
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