Man Utd vs Man City preview, predictions & possible XIs
Manchester United welcome neighbours Manchester City for the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final on Tuesday evening.
The Red Devils have won the competition on five occasions, with the last coming under Jose Mourinho in 2017.
Man City, meanwhile, are the defending champions and will be looking to win it for the third consecutive season and move onto seven overall — one fewer than the competition’s most successful club, Liverpool.
Read on for our Man Utd v Man City preview, predictions, team news and TV coverage information.
When is Man Utd vs Man City and where can I watch live?
Competition: Carabao Cup
Venue: Old Trafford
Date: Tuesday, 07 January 2020
Kick-off: 8:00 PM (UK time)
TV coverage (UK): Sky Sports Football, Sky Sports Main Event
Last five meetings: Man Utd vs Man City
07 December 2019: Man City 1-2 Man Utd (Premier League)
24 April 2019: Man Utd 0-2 Man City (Premier League)
11 November 2018: Man City 3-1 Man Utd (Premier League)
07 April 2018: Man City 2-3 Man Utd (Premier League)
10 December 2017: Man Utd 1-2 Man City (Premier League)
Aggregate Score: Man Utd (WLLWL) 7-10 Man City (LWWLW)
Ones to watch
Man Utd: Marcus Rashford
Marcus Rashford is enjoying his most productive season in a Manchester United jersey. The 22-year-old forward has bagged 12 goals across 21 matches and recently struck against Man City when they met in the Premier League last month.
Key stat: Marcus Rashford is Man Utd’s leading scorer in this season’s Carabao Cup having scored three goals in two games.
Man City: Kevin De Bruyne
Kevin De Bruyne has returned to his very best this season and currently leads the race to be crowned the Premier League’s ‘assist king’ with 11. His ability to control the tempo of the game will be pivotal to Man City’s chances.
Key stat: Kevin De Bruyne has averaging 3.98 chances created per 90 minutes in the Premier League this season.
Team news
Man Utd
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is expected to make several changes from the side that was held to a goalless draw by Wolves in the FA Cup.
Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay are both definitely ruled out while there are still doubts over the involvement of Jesse Lingard, Harry Maguire, Anthony Martial and Luke Shaw.
Eric Bailly, Marcos Rojo, Axel Tuanzebe and Timothy Fosu-Mensah remain sidelined.
Predicted XI: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw; Fred, Matic; James, Pereira, Rashford; Martial.
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Man City
Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez are expected to return to Man City’s starting lineup. They could be joined Ederson who has been unavailable for selection after suspension and illness, although Claudio Bravo is likely to retain his place for another cup match.
Nicolas Otamendi is a doubt, however, so Pep Guardiola could field John Stones and Fernandinho together in central defence as Aymeric Laporte slowly returns to full fitness.
Predicted XI: Bravo; Walker, Stones, Fernandinho, Mendy; Rodri, De Bruyne, B. Silva; Mahrez, Aguero, Sterling.
Squawka prediction
Man Utd have blown hot and cold this season. Solskjaer’s team seem to come alive against sides who dominate possession which Man City are likely to do. With that said, it should be a close affair, but we can see the visitors seeing out a slender advantage ahead of the second leg.
