Manchester City prepared for United to attempt to ‘close gap’ in Premier League | Football News | USAEMALL.com

Who: Manchester City vs Manchester United
What: Premier League soccer
When: Sunday, March 3, 2024, 15:30 GMT
Where: Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England

Manchester City supervisor Pep Guardiola says the Premier League champions are prepared for rivals Manchester United to attempt to “close the gap” forward of Sunday’s derby match on the Etihad Stadium.

City are only one level behind league leaders Liverpool, who journey to Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

United are eight factors off Aston Villa in fourth spot, the fourth Champions League qualification spot.

New minority proprietor at Old Trafford, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, laid out his plans to return the 20-time English champions to the summit when he accomplished his acquisition of 27 p.c of the membership’s shares this month, together with re-establishing the pecking order within the metropolis.

Ahead of Sunday’s match, Guardiola admits the latest change at United is more likely to change issues.

“Sir Jim and others know the diagnosis of the club. If Sir Jim said they need two or three years to be there, who am I to say the opposite?” the supervisor stated.

“I’m sure they will work to close the gap.”

Last season’s treble winners, City additionally added the European Super Cup and Club World Cup to their haul by the top of 2023.

Guardiola says he is aware of this period of dominance on the blue aspect of Manchester will finish ultimately, however he’s decided it gained’t be anytime quickly.

“In the ’80s it was Liverpool, the ’90s, it was United – now we are this many years, winning seven Premier League titles in the last 11, 12 years,” he stated.

“It has happened, but in 50 or 60 years, there has never in one country been a club that dominates and controls everything, so we can try to extend for as many years as possible what we are trying to do.”

United’s Premier battle for a Champions League spot

Although not feasting on the high desk, United have their very own battles to combat and Champions League qualification is high of their agenda. A house defeat by Fulham final weekend ended a seven-game unbeaten run, however United supervisor Erik ten Hag stays in defiant temper.

“We are also on a good run. The spirit is very good,” he stated.

“We have done it before against City, also against Liverpool. We will prepare well. The players are looking forward to it. I can smell it. I’m excited.”

City defeated United within the FA Cup ultimate final season on the way in which to emulating the home treble solely their rivals, in 1999, had beforehand achieved.

This fixture final season resulted in a humiliating 6-3 defeat, though United did win at Old Trafford. That was not the case this season although, with City claiming a 3-0 win within the reverse fixture in October.

“We need a great day,” ten Hag admitted. “We like the challenge and we are looking forward to the challenge with them. We know we have to give everything and show a team performance if we want to get the result. But if you do it, it is possible.”

Following the United recreation, City face a tricky run of video games dealing with their title rivals Liverpool and Arsenal within the league, together with their Champions League final 16-second leg with Copenhagen on Wednesday.

“I prefer that than the opposite,” Guardiola stated on the problem he faces in all competitions. “Key gamers, we have now 20 key gamers. We have had key gamers out injured and nonetheless performed properly.

“So nice to play the fixtures. They are the best. A chance to get to the quarterfinals of the Champions League, then Anfield, a chance against Newcastle United [in the FA Cup] – we work to arrive here to live these moments.”

Form information

Manchester City’s season has picked up tempo since their Club World Cup triumph in December. Pep Guardiola’s aspect have gained 14 of their final 15 video games and are undefeated of their final 18 video games.

United had been on a seven-game undefeated run till Fulham’s shock win at Old Trafford within the Premier League final weekend. Erik ten Hag’s aspect returned to successful means within the FA Cup in midweek by overcoming Nottingham Forest 1-0.

Head-to-head

The Manchester rivals first confronted one another within the previous Division Two in England in November 1894. United gained 5-2 at City earlier than sealing the double over their neighbours with a 4-1 win within the return fixture in January 1985.

There have been 190 conferences in complete with United successful 77 to City’s 60.

Team information

Manchester City are with out Jack Grealish, who injured his groin within the FA Cup at Luton on Tuesday.

Defender Josko Gvardiol is near a return from an ankle harm however the derby is more likely to be too quickly.

Manchester City predicted lineup: Ederson; Kyle Walker, Josh Stones, Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake; Rodri; Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva, Julian Alvarez, Jeremy Doku; Erling Haaland

Manchester United’s major absentees are defender Luke Shaw and striker Rasmus Hojlund. Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are additionally all absent from the again line.

Manchester United predicted lineup: Andre Onana; Diogo Dalot, Raphael Varane, Jonny Evans, Victor Lindelof; Kobbie Mainoo, Casemiro; Christian Eriksen, Bruno Fernandes, Alejandro Garnacho, Marcus Rashford