Manchester United vs Manchester City preview: Akanji suspended for trip to Old Trafford

By Ric Turner, Fri 27 October 2023 17:18


Manchester United vs Manchester City preview: Akanji suspended for trip to Old TraffordSwiss defender misses out following red card against Fulham

Manchester United vs Manchester City

Competition: F.A. Premier League

Date: 3.30pm, Sunday 29th October 2023

Venue: Old Trafford, Trafford

Referee: Paul Tierney Assistants: N Davies, S Ledger Fourth Official: C Pawson VAR: M Oliver

Odds: United 4/1, Draw 3/1, Man City 4/6

Tickets: Sold out

TV: Sky Sports

Manchester United

Manager: Erik Ten Hag

Squad (from): Bayindir, Heaton, Onana, Lindelof, Maguire, Reguilon, Varane, Dalot, Wan-Bissaka, Evans, Amrabat, Mount, Fernandes, Eriksen, Casemiro, Pellestri, van de Beek, Mainoo, McTominay, Mejbri, Martial, Rashford, Hojlund, Garnacho, Athony

Injured: Martinez, Malacia, Shaw, Diallo

Doubtful: Wan-Bissaka, Casemiro

Suspended: None

Form guide: WWWLL

Manchester City

Manager: Pep Guardiola

Squad (from): Ederson, Ortega, Carson, Walker, Dias, Stones, Ake, Gvardiol, Lewis, Phillips, Kovacic, Grealish, Silva, Gomez, Nunes, Foden, Bobb, Haaland, Doku, Alvarez

Injured: De Bruyne

Doubtful: None

Suspended: Akanji

Form guide: WWLWL

Manuel Akanji is suspended after his red card against Brighton, and will miss the 180th Manchester derby. Kevin De Bruyne is the only other absentee from the City squad that will travel to Old Trafford on Sunday.

United once again go into the game as underdogs, much to Alex Ferguson's chagrin, but Pep Guardiola is expecting a tough challenge against Erik Ten Hag's side.

"United always have been - it doesn’t matter the manager - always they are a tough opponent," he said at Friday's press conference.

“The qualities of the individuals they have, the stadium, the character they have, the momentum.

“They can score goals, we know the quality they have. Always that has been and always it will be.”

City lost their last game against at Old Trafford, despite taking the lead though Jack Grealish. Overall City have won 57 of the 179 games played against the Reds, with 50 draws and 72 defeats.

Predicted line-up: Ederson, Walker, Dias, Stones, Gvardiol, Rodri, Bernardo, Grealish, Foden, Alvarez, Haaland

Score prediction: United 2 City 2