Manchester United have an unspoken advantage over their rivals Manchester City ahead of the two sides’ clash in the Premier League this weekend.
Manchester United travel to the Etihad on Sunday for the 157th instalment of the Manchester derby, where they will look to get one over Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.
Ruben Amorim’s side have started the Premier League season in a fairly slow manner, picking up four points from their first three fixtures. The Reds’ only win came at home against Burnley in a narrow 3-2 victory.
These early fixtures have left United in ninth place in the league, but with some tough fixtures on the horizon, they will be hoping to pick up as many points as possible.
United’s new-look front three of Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko and Bryan Mbeumo have yet to start a league game together, but the Manchester derby could present them with the opportunity.
United’s unspoken advantage
Travelling to the Etihad to face Guardiola’s City side has so often been the most feared fixture on the calendar for teams up and down the country, although this may not be the case for United now.
With City enduring a difficult start to their campaign, including two consecutive losses, it now presents United with the perfect chance to get one over their local rivals.
As well as this, United have the unspoken advantage of an almost fully fit squad, barring Lisandro Martinez and potentially Cunha, whereas the Blues have a more unfortunate situation.
As reported by UtdDistrict, both Rayan Cherki and Omar Marmoush have picked up injuries that will leave them out of the derby, whilst also having a plethora of other doubts and concerns.
United need to take their chance
With many questions being asked about Amorim in the early stages of this campaign, this highly anticipated fixture offers him the perfect chance to prove himself.
In his two fixtures against United’s local rivals in the 2024/25 campaign, Amorim remained undefeated, even beating City 2-1 at the Etihad thanks to late goals from Amad and Bruno Fernandes.
As well as Amorim, all of United’s new boys should be looking at this fixture as the opportunity to get off the mark, with both Cunha and Sesko yet to open their accounts for the club.
The Red Devils need to smell blood on Sunday, and instil the ruthless edge of old if they are to earn a statement victory at the Etihad.
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