Manchester United vs Manchester City: Ones to watch (Premier League)

Manchester United welcome their ‘noisy neighbours’ to Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon for the 189th Manchester Derby.

Erik Ten Hag‘s men are in stellar form, winning their last eight fixtures in all competitions which has seen The Reds move up to fourth in the Premier League, progress to the Fourth Round of the FA Cup and book their place in the Carabao Cup semi-final.

Manchester City on the other hand will be licking their wounds after a surprise Carabao Cup exit at the hands of Premier League strugglers, Southampton on Wednesday night.

A win for United would see them move up to third, just one point behind their Manchester rivals and a win for City will close the gap on league leaders Arsenal to just two points. With a lot riding on the derby, here are the ones to watch for both sides.

Manchester United – Luke Shaw

With Marcus Rashford in red-hot form and no doubt attracting the bulk of attention from City’s defence, Luke Shaw may well go under the radar in the lunchtime kick-off.

The left-back is currently having one of his best seasons in a United shirt, and has once again created a formidable partnership with Rashford on the left hand side.

Surrounded by Casemiro and Martinez in his immediate position, Shaw has become integral to Ten Hag’s style of play, controlling tempo and dictating play on the left-hand side with a sense of calmness and aplomb.

Manchester City – Erling Haaland

It goes without saying that the dangerman for City is likely to be Erling Haaland. A hat-trick and two assists in his first derby appearance rocked United earlier this season and The Reds will be wary of the threat he brings.

It was men against boys at the Etihad in October and Haaland emphasised that with his strength and power. It’ll take a special plan to stop the Norwegian, who will be raring to go after starting City’s last two games from the bench.