Manchester United vs Manchester City preview: De Bruyne to start in his last ever derby?

By Ric Turner, Fri 04 April 2025 16:02


Manchester United vs Manchester City preview: De Bruyne to start in his last ever derby?Belgian international announces that he will leave club at the end of the season

Manchester United vs Manchester City

Competition: F.A. Premier League

Date: 4.30pm, Sunday 6th April 2025

Venue: Old Trafford, Trafford

Referee: John Brooks Assistants: S Bennett, D Robathan Fourth Official: T Harrington VAR: P Tierney

Odds: United 9/4, Draw 5/2, City 11/10

Tickets: Sold out

TV: Sky Sports

Manchester United

Manager: Ruben Amorim

Squad (from): Onana, Bayindir, Heaton, Lindeof, Mazraouai, de Ligt, Maguire, Martinez, Dorgu, Yoro, Dalot, Mount, Fernandes, Eriksen, Casemiro, Ugarte, Mainoo, Collyer, Hojlund, Zirkzee, Garnacho, Obi

Injured: Martinez, Diallo, Heaven, Shaw, Evans

Doubtful: Mainoo, De Ligt

Suspended: None

Form guide: LWWDD

Manchester City

Manager: Pep Guardiola

Squad (from): Ederson, Ortega, Carson, Dias, Reis, Gvardiol, Khusanov, Lewis, Kovacic, Grealish, Gonzalez, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Silva, Nunes, Foden, O'Reilly, Bobb, McAtee, Marmoush, Doku, Savinho

Injured: Rodri, Haaland, Ake, Stones, Akanji

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

Form guide: WWDLW

City will be without Erling Haaland, Rodri, John Stones, Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji for the trip to Old Trafford. Kevin De Bruyne, meanwhile, could be involved in his last ever Manchester derby on Sunday, after announcing that he will leave the club at the end of the season.

The Belgian international confirmed that this will be his final year in Manchester, and manager Pep Guardiolaadmitted that saying farewell with be emotional.

“We spoke days ago about it. It was nice. We’ve always had a special relationship.” Guardiola said at Friday's press conference.

“Kevin is a special person and player. [Players like Kevin are treated] in a special way and we had conversations, of course.

“How many games, meetings, training, food and bad moments [have we shared]? Hugs and shouts - he’s been involved for a decade and except for holidays, we were together.

“Now it’ll be over - come on, we will not be, not affected - it’s an emotional moment like with Sergio.

“We will continue and there are players who have helped make the Club like it is right now. Emotions are involved because they give us too much.”

City won their last game at Old Trafford 3-0, with goals from Erling Haaland (2) and Phil Foden. Overall City have won 60 of the 184 games played against the Red Devils, with 50 draw and 74 defeats.

Predicted line-up: Ederson, Khusanov, Dias, Gvardiol, O'Reilly, Gonzalez, Gundogan, De Bruyne, Grealish, Savinho, Marmoush

Score prediction: United 1 City 1