Manchester United predicted lineup vs Man City
Manchester United will be looking to bounce back from last weekend's goalless draw with Watford when they face arch rivals Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
United, who were beaten 2-0 by City in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford back in November, created a plethora of chances against the Hornets last time out but lacked a clinical touch in front of goal. And should West Ham win at Liverpool on Saturday evening and Arsenal beat Watford on Sunday afternoon, United could kick-off against City in sixth place.
Interim boss Ralf Rangnick will be hoping to nail his team selection to perfection, with City set to pose the greatest threat that his team has come up against since he landed the job. He will have some big calls to make.
Pre-match talk was around who should make up United's defence, but it appears that Rangnick has made the biggest call up front. Cristiano Ronaldo was absent from the squad when they met up on Saturday night, pointing to an exclusion from the squad.
Edinson Cavani was also a no-show, so while that does not 100 per cent rule the pair out of the game, it leaves a spot for Marcus Rashford to lead the line. Anthony Elanga deserves to hold onto his starting berth and take up the residency on the right-wing with Jadon Sancho returning and starting on the left.
Moving back to defence, goalkeeper David de Gea is a guaranteed starter between the posts. The Spaniard has been excellent this season and has been one of the very first names on the teamsheet, with his performances having improved as the campaign has unfolded.
Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw could both return to the back four They were both named on the bench last weekend as Rangnick looked to inject some fresh energy into his side after a hectic period.
Their inclusions in the team would mean that Victor Lindelof and Alex Telles would make way. Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been solid of late and his pace could be crucial against Raheem Sterling, while Raphael Varane is likely to start too.
Midfielder Scott McTominay is back available for selection after missing the last two games through illness and Rangnick has confirmed that it is possible he could start. In a game where City are likely to dominate the ball and dictate the play, his presence in midfield could be important alongside the energy of Fred. Paul Pogba could be warming the bench.
Premier League: Manchester City and Manchester United meet at Etihad Stadium
Manchester City host neighbours Manchester United on Sunday in a derby that could have a big bearing on the Premier League title race - as well as the scramble to finish in the top four.
Pep Guardiola's leaders are three points clear of nearest rivals Liverpool after the Reds' 1-0 win against West Ham on Saturday.
When asked about the Manchester derby following that game at Anfield, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said "of course we are interested in it".
If City lose on Sunday, Liverpool would have the chance to go top of the Premier League next weekend, when they play on Saturday and their rivals do not play until the Monday.
With 11 games left, United have 47 points - 19 fewer than City's 66 - and are fourth in the table with a two-point cushion over fifth-placed West Ham, but Arsenal are a place further back and have three games in hand on United.
"We are playing against one of the best teams in the world," said United's interim boss Ralf Rangnick.
"In the end it is about controlling the game, not letting them play and have the ball without pressure. That is what they are always looking for.
"We are fully aware of how they want to play. It is about putting them under pressure and taking the ball off them. Some teams have done that over the past few weeks."
Guardiola said City, who will be without defender Ruben Dias for up to six weeks, need to win "almost all the games" they have left to be champions.
"If we lose this game and win the Premier League, I would sign for that right now," added the City boss.
"It's not the cup where you lose and it's over. We have to try to do what we can, but I don't look at the table and them [United] being 19 points behind.
"I see them as a good side and that's all."
A key moment in the title race?
City are chasing a fourth title in five seasons and were 14 points clear of Liverpool after beating Chelsea on 15 January, although Guardiola's side had played two games more.
City entertain Liverpool on 10 April, but the only other team in the Premier League's current top six they have to play is West Ham away on the penultimate weekend of the campaign on 15 May.
While City are chasing success on three fronts - Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League - United can only dream of such lofty ambitions right now.
They have not won the league since 2013 and, despite re-signing Cristiano Ronaldo and spending £73m on Jadon Sancho, they are locked in a six-club race - featuring Chelsea, West Ham, Arsenal, Tottenham and Wolves - for the third and fourth Champions League spots after an inconsistent campaign.
They entertain Spurs on 12 March and are at Arsenal on 23 April. In addition, the Red Devils still have to play Chelsea, who currently sit third, on the penultimate weekend of the season.
City's miserable home record against their rivals
For all that City have been Manchester's dominant force over the past decade, they have not had too much to celebrate when hosting United in recent seasons, with the red half of Manchester winning 11 of their 21 games against the Blues at the stadium they moved to from Maine Road in 2003.
Guardiola's side have lost their past three league and cup home games against United
City's most recent home win over United was November 2018, although they did beat their neighbours at Old Trafford this season.
What's changed since they last met?
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was in charge of United when City cruised to a 2-0 victory in a one-sided game at Old Trafford in November.
Eric Bailly turned Joao Cancelo's cross into his own net after seven minutes before Bernardo Silva took advantage of awful defending from Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw to steal in on another Cancelo cross at the far post.
Solskjaer was critical of his side's abject performance and said afterwards: "You want to see a better Manchester United than that.
"This was a big step back. Players are human beings. We have to come out against Watford like a proper, hurt animal."
Solskjaer lasted one more match before he was sacked after a 4-1 defeat at Watford.
United have taken 26 points in Rangnick's first 13 league games in charge. It would have been more but for frustrating draws against Watford, Southampton, Burnley, Aston Villa and Newcastle.
A fourth successive United win over City at Etihad Stadium, however, will lift the mood for the all-important run-in.
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