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The first Manchester Derby of the season is almost upon us and, as always, the stakes could not be much higher for both United and City.
After his team was eliminated from the Champions League in the middle of the week, the pressure is on again on Red Devils manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Some have suggested that a loss on Saturday could be the last straw, and both Ed Woodward and Mauricio Pochettino will no doubt be watching the proceedings with interest.
City, meanwhile, have won four of their last five in all competitions, and Pep Guardiola hopes to maintain the momentum as they look to continue their rise in the table.
So who will win at Old Trafford?
This is what our reporters think …
Alex Milne – Man Utd 1-3 Man City
(Image: Manchester United via Getty Imag)
Tuesday’s loss to RB Leipzig showed United simply cannot continue to start slowly and hope to get something out of the games against quality opponents.
They have been terrible in the first half of each of their last three games, and a similar performance against a rapidly improving City would leave them with another impossible mountain to climb.
Suddenly, things seem to be starting to click for Pep Guardiola’s side, and a win at Old Trafford would send a huge declaration that they are really back in business.
I don’t think Solskjaer will be fired with a loss, but any point lost before Christmas against Sheffield United or Leeds would surely see him surrender his P45.
James Nursey – Man Utd 1-2 Man City
Manchester City will surely be the last team Manchester United will want to face after being sent off from the Champions League in the middle of the week.
City can overtake United in the Premier League with a win at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Those of Pep Guardiola have the form of his side after a single defeat in 15 games in all competitions.
And with United in the clutches of Paul Pogba’s latest circus, visitors will think their neighbors are there to take them as the pressure continues to mount on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
(Image: REUTERS)
Steve Bates – Man Utd 2-4 Man City
This is the kind of game that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could do without right now with his Manchester United leadership under severe scrutiny.
After nearly two years in charge, United fans are wondering if his team is on the right track and if he is the right man to stay in command with Mauricio Pochettino and Max Allegri waiting behind the scenes.
After watching United’s defense rip apart in Leipzig, Pep Guardiola must be rubbing his hands in anticipation with his City stars freely scoring back on the beat.
United will score, but so will City, and with Sergio Aguero fitting in again, the omens don’t look good for a City side that tends to thrive at Old Trafford.
If you’re a United fan, look the other way now.
Mike Walters – Man Utd 1-3 Man City
(Image: Peter Powell / POOL / EPA-EFE / REX / Shutterstock)
The last thing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer needs, after being eliminated from the Champions League, is a visit from the noisy neighbors.
But like a Boxing Day hangover, it’ll need more plink-plink fizz, because City are putting in a lot of effort and Solskjaer has yet to come up with convincing evidence that he has found a cure for United’s lousy form at home this season.
They have already lost to Palace, Tottenham and Arsenal at Old Trafford, not to mention West Brom was robbed blind, and Pep Guardiola is not sympathetic.
Big games against sworn enemies tend to bring out the best in United: For six months, they were the only team to take a point away from Liverpool last season, and their record against Blue Moon is decent enough, but City have the wind on your cloth.
Say your prayers, Ole: this is Amen Corner.
Neil McLeman – Manchester United 2-1 Man City
Manchester United is the new Arsenal: former title contenders now only competing for the cups, but still capable of beating the big teams.
This is a great game for Solksjaer and United. And he should tell Paul Pogba to go out there and show that he deserves a transfer to Real Madrid, Juventus or PSG.
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David Anderson – Man Utd 1-2 Man City
Despite all their troubles this season, Manchester United go to the derby one point ahead of Manchester City.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could be forgiven for wondering why intense media attention is shining so brightly on him and not Pep Guardiola for the Blues’ disappointing start to the season.
But Solskjaer is certainly under pressure after the chaotic loss to RB Leipzig on Tuesday in what turned out to be too far a comeback for United.
Leaving the Champions League is a black mark on their name for this season and beating City would be the perfect way to transform the gloomy mood at Old Trafford.
United are capable of beating City, as they proved last season when they beat them three times.
However, I lean towards City on this one.
They have managed to fly under the radar this season, while all the attention has been on Jurgen Klopp’s spiel and Liverpool’s injuries, Tottenham’s good start, Chelsea’s recovery under Frank Lampard and United’s continuing woes.
They have won their last two league games, albeit against Burnley and Fulham, and are again keeping a clean sheet.
I have the feeling that they are beginning to find their rhythm and their best rhythm every day better than United.
Freddie Keighley – Man Utd 2-2 Man City
(Image: Getty Images)
Ahead of Saturday’s derby, the pressure on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is at an all-time high after Manchester United’s elimination from the Champions League at the hands of RB Leipzig.
But the Red Devils boss has the knack of pulling an important result out of the bag when he confronts him.
Add to that Solskjaer’s recent success against Manchester City, who won three of last season’s four derbies, it’s hard to side with United.
If they can sit deep and counter effectively like Tottenham did in their 2-0 win over City last month, then United could lead Pep Guardiola’s side to an entertaining draw at Old Trafford.
Darren Wells – Man Utd 0-3 Man City
United are coming off a demoralizing week in Europe and will not have confidence in the clash with their rivals.
Meanwhile, Man City has shown better form since their loss to Tottenham, and had the added advantage of an easier night of work in the Champions League.
Pep Guardiola’s team will not want to suffer the same fate as their last outing at Old Trafford and will be prepared for United’s plan to absorb pressure and counterattack.
Sadly for Solskjaer, his team has struggled at Old Trafford against the big teams this season, and the opponents aren’t much more clinical than City, who should have no trouble putting United’s defense to the test.
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