The 169th Manchester Derby is upon us and who would want to be blue?
In recent years Manchester United supporters would look at this fixture more in hope of a win than the expectation of one, and rightly so. But come kick off today it's the blue half of Manchester that find themselves in that boat.
It's been a while since United where favourites in the Manchester Derby and some would say it's about time. Ironically they have been in sublime form since their defeat to Arsenal in the FA Cup and the Citizens have been in the direct opposite form.
I remember fondly how Sir Alex used to say winning the EPL back to back is the most difficult and how he would sell anyone if they come back after winning the league and lost their desire, their passion or their hunger. He was said to be able to see it in the players eyes and that just might be true for this crop of City players.
Sergio Aguero: "If you score against United at Old Trafford it almost gives you shivers, because you can feel the tense atmosphere with most of the stadium being really quiet, but the away end going crazy."
Louis van Gaal: "I was more worried about Villa than Manchester City"
Manuel Pellegrini "Not impressed, no, because I think Louis van Gaal has a career as a manager where his teams are always offensive teams, teams that win titles everywhere."
Manchester United
Striker Robin van Persie will not play against City today despite returning to first-team training. He trained with his team-mates for the first time this week since he suffered an ankle injury against Swansea on February 21, but he will not be risked as manager Louis van Gaal does not believe he is match fit.
Defender Jonny Evans is suspended, Luke Shaw is out with a hamstring problem, Chris Smalling is a doubt through illness and midfielder Andreas Pereira is away with the Brazil Under-20 side.
Manchester City
Vincent Kompany is doubtful for today's derby with a hamstring injury.
Kompany felt the muscle tighten during Monday's Barclays Premier League defeat at Crystal Palace and will undergo a fitness test.
Strikers Wilfried Bony (ankle/knee) and Stevan Jovetic are also out, as is defender Dedryck Boyata (knee).
Stats
*Since 2008 when City fell into millions, the aggregate score between the two in the EPL stands at 23-16 in their favour.
*City have scored 11 goals in their last three visits to Old Trafford.
*City have also beaten United in the last 4 EPL meetings, 1970 was the last time they achieved that feat.
*City has lost 3 away matches now, losing one more you would have to go back to 2006 since they last lost 4 in a row away.
*United have never been beaten 5 times in a row in their history.
*Rooney has scored 8 EPL goals vs City but only 3 have been at home.
*United have been awarded 321 fouls to City's 241.
*The overall head-to-head record tilts in United’s favour 69 and 49 wins each.
Prediction
Manchester United to win by the odd goal or two but I definitely think #ManchesterIsRed and who would want to be blue?
Jade Christopher Bentley Adams signing off
(@jcba & IG @jcba_official)
What he said:
Wayne Rooney : "We want to give United fans something to smile about when they go to work on Monday morning"Sergio Aguero: "If you score against United at Old Trafford it almost gives you shivers, because you can feel the tense atmosphere with most of the stadium being really quiet, but the away end going crazy."
Louis van Gaal: "I was more worried about Villa than Manchester City"
Manuel Pellegrini "Not impressed, no, because I think Louis van Gaal has a career as a manager where his teams are always offensive teams, teams that win titles everywhere."
Striker Robin van Persie will not play against City today despite returning to first-team training. He trained with his team-mates for the first time this week since he suffered an ankle injury against Swansea on February 21, but he will not be risked as manager Louis van Gaal does not believe he is match fit.
Defender Jonny Evans is suspended, Luke Shaw is out with a hamstring problem, Chris Smalling is a doubt through illness and midfielder Andreas Pereira is away with the Brazil Under-20 side.
Vincent Kompany is doubtful for today's derby with a hamstring injury.
Kompany felt the muscle tighten during Monday's Barclays Premier League defeat at Crystal Palace and will undergo a fitness test.
Strikers Wilfried Bony (ankle/knee) and Stevan Jovetic are also out, as is defender Dedryck Boyata (knee).
*Since 2008 when City fell into millions, the aggregate score between the two in the EPL stands at 23-16 in their favour.
*City have scored 11 goals in their last three visits to Old Trafford.
*City have also beaten United in the last 4 EPL meetings, 1970 was the last time they achieved that feat.
*City has lost 3 away matches now, losing one more you would have to go back to 2006 since they last lost 4 in a row away.
*United have never been beaten 5 times in a row in their history.
*Rooney has scored 8 EPL goals vs City but only 3 have been at home.
*United have been awarded 321 fouls to City's 241.
*The overall head-to-head record tilts in United’s favour 69 and 49 wins each.
Manchester United to win by the odd goal or two but I definitely think #ManchesterIsRed and who would want to be blue?
Jade Christopher Bentley Adams signing off
(@jcba & IG @jcba_official)
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