Manchester United vs Manchester City (Premier League): Match Preview, Team News, Head to Head, How to Watch

Manchester City will hope to close the gap between themselves and Tottenham to two points with victory at Old Trafford in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.

Pep Guardiola and his players come into the weekend’s contest in a fresh run of positive form following the disappointing string of results that preceded the October international break, having won the two games following national team commitments.

Last time out in the Premier League, Manchester City overcame the challenge of Roberto De Zerbi’s Brighton & Hove Albion thanks to goals from the ever-firing Julian Alvarez and Erling Haaland, while success in European competition followed soon after.

City travelled to Bern in Switzerland on Wednesday night as they made it three wins from their opening three UEFA Champions League group stage games, defeating BSC Young Boys via a 1-3 scoreline – the same result in City’s favour that came from their previous two fixtures.

As for this weekend’s Derby Day opponents and Manchester United have also won their two games since the conclusion of the international break, winning 1-2 at Sheffield United in the Premier League last weekend, and in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

A late penalty save from Andre Onana ensured that Manchester United preserved their crucial three points to win 1-0 against FC Copenhagen at Old Trafford, giving Erik ten Hag’s side hope of progressing from the group despite two opening defeats.

Victory for Manchester City on Sunday afternoon could preserve their place in third in the Premier League at a very minimum, moving up to 24 points and sitting two points behind Ange Postecoglou’s side who currently top the division.

As for Manchester United and they currently lie in eighth position on 15 points, meaning the maximum they can move up to through a win is sixth position behind Aston Villa, who come into their fixture already on 19 points.

Here is everything you need to know ahead of the eagerly anticipated 191st Manchester derby between Pep Guardiola’s Treble-winning Manchester City side, and Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday!

Fixture Details

Manchester United take on Manchester City at Old Trafford on Sunday 29 October with kick-off in the Premier League clash scheduled for 15:30 (UK).

Team News

Manchester City have no new fitness or injury concerns ahead of the visit to Manchester United this weekend, with Kevin De Bruyne continuing to be the only player ruled out and not expected back to full match fitness until early 2024.

Manchester United are currently balancing a long list of injury and fitness concerns however, with Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia, and Luke Shaw all ruled out with longer-term problems.

While Aaron Wan-Bissaka is confirmed to have returned to Manchester United training in the last few days, as per Erik ten Hag during his pre-match press conference, he is unlikely to be risked against Pep Guardiola’s side this weekend.

Casemiro faces a late fitness assessment for the visit of Manchester City to decide whether he can play any part in the contest.

Manchester United’s ongoing situation with Jadon Sancho remains, and the Englishman remains away from the Old Trafford set-up and will certainly play no part in this weekend’s Derby Day contest.

Head to Head

Officially, Manchester City and Manchester United have met a total of 189 times prior to Sunday afternoon’s contest at Old Trafford, with the blue half of the city coming out on top on 59 occassions, drawing in 53 meetings, and losing 77 times.

Legendary goalkeeper Joe Corrigan holds the record for most Manchester City appearances in this fixture, while the late Francis Lee alongside Joe Hayes are the top-scorers in derby day clashes.

Les McDowall has managed the most Manchester City matches (26) against Manchester United, with current boss Pep Guardiola currently sitting in second place for this category having faced the Old Trafford club on 19 occassions as the Etihad Stadium manager.

The last meeting between Manchester City and Manchester United came in the Emirates FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium back in early June, with Pep Guardiola’s side coming out on top 2-1 en route to a historic Treble.

The last meeting at Old Trafford ended with the exact same scoreline, coming in mid-January, albeit in favour of Manchester United.

Statistics

• Manchester United came from behind to win this exact fixture 2-1 last season – they are looking to win consecutive home league games against Manchester City for the first time since a run of three between 2008/09 and 2010/11.

• Manchester City have won more Premier League away games against Manchester United than any other side (8), with seven of their eight wins at Old Trafford coming in their last 12 visits.

• Since the start of the 2011/12 season, Manchester City have won 13 of their 24 Premier League meetings with Manchester United (D3, L8), more than any other side in that time. Their previous 13 league wins over the Red Devils had come over a 62-game period between 1970 and 2011.

• This will be the ninth Premier League Manchester derby played immediately after both sides have had a UEFA Champions League group stage game. Manchester City have won five of their previous eight (D2, L1), with Manchester United’s only victory coming in December 2012 (3-2 at the Etihad Stadium).

• Manchester United have won their last two Premier League games, having lost four of their previous six (W2). All five of their league wins this season have been by a single goal, with four of those being won courtesy of a goal scored in the final 15 minutes.

How to Watch

Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch Manchester United vs Manchester City live on Sky Sports.

Those residing in the United States can see the match live with Peacock.

For full global TV channel listings for the Manchester derby at Old Trafford, head over to livesoccertv here.

City Xtra will also have live coverage of the game across our X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram, with our live WatchAlong show available on our official YouTube channel from 2:30PM (UK) – subscribe and turn notifications on via the link below!