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Manchester United made the brief distance journey to the Etihad to tackle cross-city rivals, Manchester Metropolis this afternoon.
Immediately would be the 192nd version of the Manchester derby and each side are determined for 3 factors.
The Residents will goal to maintain Liverpool on the prime of the desk, whereas United will look to shut the hole with fifth-placed Tottenham, who at the moment are six factors forward of the Previous Trafford staff.
Each groups are in good kind as Pep Guardiola's aspect are unbeaten in 18 matches and United have received seven of their 9 fixtures in 2024.
So this needs to be an exciting expertise for followers and a mouth-watering match for neutrals. Listed here are the massive tales supporters are speaking about in Manchester and around the globe.
United should rating first
It’s a widespread saying in soccer that the primary purpose is vital. That is actually true in terms of the Manchester derby.
United have received solely three of their final ten matches towards Metropolis and misplaced 5 of their final six fixtures.
Nevertheless, in keeping with the BBC, “Metropolis have misplaced every of their final 15 league matches towards United, wherein they’ve gone behind”.
United after all got here from behind to beat Metropolis at Previous Trafford in January 2023 with late targets from Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford, however clearly this can be a large psychological hurdle for Metropolis, who’ve Ten Hague's Individuals will likely be wanting to take benefit.
Eric ten Hag's one centesimal recreation in cost
Other than the apparent, this match will even be vital for the Dutch coach for one more motive, as it is going to be his one centesimal in command of the membership. Nevertheless, relatively than being in celebratory temper, the supervisor is underneath probably the most strain he has been underneath in his profession and definitely throughout his time at United.
The membership believed that they had turned the nook with an unbeaten begin to the New 12 months, however that phantasm was shattered for followers as they misplaced to Fulham at Previous Trafford final weekend.
Had United suffered a defeat just like the 6-3 defeat at dwelling to Metropolis final season, the criticism of the previous Ajax participant would have elevated.
In order he enters his historic recreation on the helm of the Purple Devils, he will likely be hoping for some constructive information with the media protection of the occasion.
For the report, Ten Haag have received 61 of their 99 video games up to now, drawn 11 and misplaced 27.
Might Marcus Rashford play towards Metropolis once more?
In a season filled with false mornings and damaged guarantees for United followers, the steep decline of Marcus Rashford will likely be on the prime of most individuals's record of hardest to digest.
After a stellar yr final season, the Englishman has scored simply 5 targets and is nicely forward of his youthful counterparts, Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hjolund.
With the Danish striker nonetheless injured and Anthony Martial primarily unavailable, United don’t have any alternative however to ask Rashford to guide the road.
The Englishman has report towards the Residents as he has scored 5 targets and offered one help towards your entire Metropolis staff.
The 26-year-old scored his first Manchester derby purpose in a 1-0 win on the Etihad in March 2016 and has additionally scored in latest Premier League matches in 2021 and final yr.
United have received three of the 5 matches Rashford has scored on, so in a manner, that could possibly be an indication of fine luck for the Purple Devils.
An early Marcus Rashford purpose appears to be the order of the day for the Purple Devils around the globe.