While Manchester City were bounced off from the Carling Cup courtesy to a resurging Newcastle side, the red half of Manchester would have thought they stand a chance this Sunday when the two giants of English football will meet their horns. While Manchester City have been in a poor form lately getting 2 defeats in a matter of 4 days, Manchester United haven’t enjoyed the best of run as the 20times Premier League winners have last tasted a victory nearly a month before this fixture at the Etihad. So it is safe to say that, this fixture hasn’t come at the most probable of time for both clubs.
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Here are the 5 things to be expected from the Manchester Derby which would be taking place at the Etihad on Sunday:-
Under pressure Manchester City:
While they recognize the writing on the wall or not, the Citizens are under huge pressure after back to back defeats against the Premier League minnows. While defeat to a West Ham side wouldn’t have ring bells at the City boardroom keeping in mind the purple patch the Hammers are enjoying, defeat against Newcastle was a worrying sign for the Premier League Champions as they fielded most of their 1st team players there.
Last time Manchester City were handed back to back defeats in the Premier League was four years back in 2010-11 season.
As a result, Manuel Pellegrini will be itching to get back on the winning ways before a crucial Champions League tie that will decide their future in Europe’s elite competition.
Manchester United won’t be any pushovers:
In the last 7 fixtures between the Manchester sides, the blue half of Manchester have put 20 goals past their rivals with a memorable 6-1 victory epitomizing the City dominance in recent era. However, with the return of a manager that has won things everywhere and whom has implied his philosophy, Manchester United recent draw against Chelsea favors the fact that the 20times domestic Champions will put off a fight against the Citizens.
Eliaquim Mangala will be under the microscope:
So far at the start of his City career, things haven’t been as smooth for the former Malaga man as his price tag seems to have suggested. For Newcastle’s first goal against the Citizens at the Etihad, Eliaquim Mangala was easily beaten in the box before Rolando Aarons put the ball into the net. Being the most costly defender in Manchester City history and pairing up with a City legend like Kompany, better was expected from him and when United will come to Etihad, the Frenchman has a case to prove.
No goals galore at the Etihad:
With both of them being the longest serving managers of football, one more thing that is common between both Luis Van Gaal and Manuel Pellegrini is that, both the Dutchman and the Chilean, have enjoyed success at the best of clubs before this assignment led them to the same City. As a result, a tactical battle will be underway at the Etihad and with both masters of the tactical aspects of the game, a tight encounter with less goals is expected. Therefore, for the neutral, this game might nor serve as pleasing to the eye as ones before it.
Win would be welcomed by both, but a defeat would be more damaging for City rather than United!
As Manchester United boss reiterated his desire even before the start of this season that it will take time for United to win the league, he mentioned 3 years, so for Manchester United defeat won’t be as catastrophic if the results from other games in England goes their way. However, for Manchester City and Manuel Pellegrini, defeats would raise certain important eyebrows at Dubai HQ of the bosses.
Amir Bashir follow him on Twitter.
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