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Eight reasons why Manchester United can beat Man City in Premier League fixture

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Cristiano Ronaldo and Anthony Elanga could be key in Manchester United’s hopes of beating Manchester City. (Image: Paul Ellis/AFP via Getty Images.)

Manchester United make the short trip to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon to lock horns with Manchester City as big underdogs

Manchester United are looking to defy the odds and disrupt Manchester City’s Premier League title charge when they travel to the Etihad Stadium this afternoon (Sunday, 4.30pm kick off UK time).

Currently 19 points behind Pep Guardiola’s side in the table, United are overwhelming underdogs ahead of the 187th competitive meeting between the two clubs. So while City are looking to retain their Premier League crown, United — despite splashing out more than £120million on world-class talent last summer — are facing a fight just to finish inside the top-four.

United will enter the contest off the back of a disappointing goalless draw with Watford last weekend and City will be targeting a third successive win after victories over Everton and Peterborough in the past week or so. With that in mind, United are not fancied to cause a stir and scoop all three points.

But whilst you may be thinking that United have no chance at all on Sunday afternoon, form can often fly out of the window on derby day. Furthermore, unexpected drama is almost certainly guaranteed in some capacity.

With that said, here are eight reasons why United’s supporters should have some optimism going into the game:

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1. United’s Etihad record

Although City have dominated the football scene in Manchester in recent years, they have not had things all their own way when United have visited the Etihad of late. The Reds have won their last three visits in league and cup and won four of their last five on City territory.

That has to count for something. United have entered all of those contests as the lesser fancied team and risen to the challenge each and every time, either by grinding out an ugly 1-0 win or staging a thrilling comeback from 2-0 down.

As well as that, United, as ever, will be backed by a sold-out away end and they will make their voices heard, just as they did at both Elland Road and the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium in recent weeks. The 12th man will be key.

2. The derby history

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Anything can happen, right? Yes, City are currently flying high and are in a position that United can only dream about, but nothing can be ruled out on derby day.

As mentioned above, nothing can be taken for granted when these two meet and the form book, most of the time, is torn up and thrown into the nearest bin.

For instance, who would have thought that City would have turned up at Old Trafford in October 2011 to face an unbeaten United side in the Premier League so far that season and win 6-1? Nobody.

3. Tottenham have shown it isn’t impossible

With the utmost respect to Tottenham Hotspur, they have hardly set the world alight this season. Chasing the final Champions League spot, just like United, their fans travelled to the Etihad a fortnight ago no doubt anticipating another defeat against one of the big-six.

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As mentioned above, nothing can be taken for granted when these two meet and the form book, most of the time, is torn up and thrown into the nearest bin.

For instance, who would have thought that City would have turned up at Old Trafford in October 2011 to face an unbeaten United side in the Premier League so far that season and win 6-1? Nobody.

3. Tottenham have shown it isn’t impossible

With the utmost respect to Tottenham Hotspur, they have hardly set the world alight this season. Chasing the final Champions League spot, just like United, their fans travelled to the Etihad a fortnight ago no doubt anticipating another defeat against one of the big-six.

However, in true, unexpected Premier League fashion, they produced an excellent away performance to win 3-2. Although they won it in dramatic fashion, and had just 29 per cent of the ball, they executed Antonio Conte’s approach to perfection.

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United are capable of a similar performance.

4. United can replicate previous tactics

Although United’s plan to hit City on the break failed miserably at Old Trafford back in November, it will be different this time. United are away from home and opening up against City at the Etihad is a recipe for disaster, especially if Guardiola’s troops are firing on all cylinders.

With Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Anthony Elanga all capable of carrying the ball at their feet with speed, United must look to hit City on the counter-attack. It may prove to be a waiting game, but as proven in their 2021 and 2019 triumphs, having more of the ball means nothing.

5. Cristiano Ronaldo

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On current form, it may sound foolish to suggest that Ronaldo can play a pivotal part in United’s attempts to bring City to their knees. However, a player of his stature and quality does not suddenly become a bad player overnight.

Experienced in playing in big matches, both domestically and in Europe, Ronaldo will be determined to leave his calling card — especially after failing to score in his last three games in all competitions. United will need to make the use of their wide players, however, to ensure he can produce his magic.

Crosses into the box will be key for him.

6. Anthony Elanga

Young. Fearless. Energetic. Elanga will be relishing his almost certain first taste of a Manchester derby.

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Similar to when Rashford experienced this fixture for the first time in March 2016, Elanga is likely to be the player that United’s supporters will feast their eyes on in hope of inspiration. After scoring against Atletico and Leeds, confidence will be flowing through the winger’s veins.

He will be key in trying to help United hurt City on the counter-attack. As well as that, you can almost sense that his first derby day experience could feature a fairytale moment.

7. Ruben Dias’ absence

It is hard to spot a weakness at any juncture in City’s squad. However, the loss of Dias ahead of the derby is bound to be felt by the Blues.

It can surely only increase United’s chances of victory. So often the man that is the glue that holds City’s defence together, Dias will be sorely missed. But with John Stones likely to step in and line-up alongside Aymeric Laporte, City will remain strong, even if they’re not as strong as they would like to be.

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8. Title race jitters

With Liverpool breathing down City’s neck at the top of the table, it is only natural that Guardiola’s side could experience some nerves. There is no room for error as far as the Blues are concerned and the defeat to Spurs showed that they can experience the odd setback.

-MEN

Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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Former Arsenal soccer player Partey charged with five counts of rape

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 Premier League - Arsenal v Manchester City - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - February 2, 2025 Arsenal's Thomas Partey during the warm-up before the match REUTERS/David Klein/File Photo

Thomas Partey, who formerly played for English Premier League soccer club Arsenal, has been charged with rape and sexual assault, London’s Metropolitan Police said on Friday.

Partey, a Ghana international, was charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, with the charges relating to three women and the offences reported to have taken place between 2021 and 2022, the statement said.

Partey’s management did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

He is due to appear at London’s Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Aug. 5.

Partey, 32, was signed by Arsenal from Atletico Madrid for 50 million euros ($59 million) in October 2020 and became a key member of Arsenal’s first team.

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He was first arrested in July 2022, though he was not named at the time and continued to play for Arsenal while investigations were ongoing.

-Reuters

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Rashford, Garnacho among five players seeking Man Utd exit

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Premier League - Manchester United v Newcastle United - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - December 30, 2024 Manchester United's Marcus Rashford warms up as a substitute during the match REUTERS/Phil Noble/File Photo

Five players including England forward Marcus Rashford and Argentina winger Alejandro Garnacho have informed Manchester United that they wish to explore a future away from the Premier League side, a club source said on Friday.

Brazilian midfielder Antony, Dutch defender Tyrell Malacia and England international Jadon Sancho are also looking to leave the club, the source added.

Rashford, who has made more than 400 senior appearances for United, has fallen out of favour with manager Ruben Amorim, played for Aston Villa on loan while United had their worst-ever Premier League campaign, finishing 15th in the standings.

Amorim had called Rashford’s work rate into question, saying he would rather put a goalkeeper coach on the bench than a player not giving their all.

Rashford said he was feeling fitter and better since joining Villa, where he scored two goals in 10 league appearances.

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United also failed to qualify for the Champions League as they lost the Europa League final 1-0 to Tottenham Hotspur. Garnacho, who was a late substitute in the final, voiced his displeasure on social media after the loss.

“Up until the final, I played every round helping the team, and today I play 20 minutes, I don’t know,” he wrote in a post . “The final will influence (my decision), but the whole season, the situation of the club.”

Sancho was on loan at Chelsea, where he made 31 league appearances last season. Antony, who joined United from Ajax Amsterdam in 2022 for a reported initial transfer fee of more than $100 million, scored five goals in 17 LaLiga appearances on loan at Real Betis.

Malacia joined Dutch side PSV Eindhoven on loan in February.

-Reuters

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Fernandes rejects Al-Hilal offer to stay at Manchester United

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Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes turned down the opportunity to join Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal in order to keep playing “at the highest level”, he said on Tuesday.

The Portuguese midfielder admitted that he had considered the move, which media reports said was worth four times his current salary, after being contacted by Al-Hilal’s president.

“There was that possibility, the president of Al-Hilal called me a month ago to ask me about it,” Fernandes, who is preparing to face Germany with Portugal, told reporters on Tuesday.

“It was a big offer, very ambitious. There was a waiting period for me to think about the future.”

Fernandes ultimately decided to stay at United and said he was motivated by his desire to continue playing at the top level and encouraged by his family and the club’s coach Ruben Amorim.

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“I would be willing to do it if Manchester United thought so,” Fernandes added. “I spoke to the coach Ruben Amorim who really tried to talk me out of it. The club said they would not be willing to sell me, only if I wanted to leave.

“I spoke to my wife and family, and she asked me what my personal goals were in my career.

“It would have been easy to move there but I want to keep myself at the highest level, playing in the big competitions and I feel capable of it. I am happy with my decision.”

The 30-year-old Fernandes scored 19 goals and provided 19 assists in 57 appearances across all competitions for United last season, winning the club’s Player of the Year award for the fourth time.

However, it was a season to forget for the team, as they finished 15th in the Premier League, their lowest league finish in half a century, and lost the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur.

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-Reuters

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