Manchester United will host local rivals Manchester City on Sunday afternoon, in a clash which could dramatically change the top four. The Reds will also have to face Chelsea and Arsenal in the coming weeks, but three points against the Citizens could deal a monumental blow with Manuel Pellegrini’s job potentially insecure after recent form. With Louis van Gaal hoping for yet another victory, four writers at Read Man Utd gave their predictions ahead of the game.
Kane Brooker
For me, this is quite possibly the biggest test of the season. We haven’t had much luck against our noisy neighbours in recent seasons, and after the 1-0 defeat earlier in the campaign at the Etihad, we need revenge. However, their shock 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace on Easter Monday has made this game even bigger, and we need to take the opportunity to potentially climb four points ahead. With our entertaining run of form, the game has also come at a paramount time. Nevertheless, part of me still believes we could slip up.
It will be a tight fixture, but I believe we have the team coherency, mental and physical strength and talent to overcome Manuel Pellegrini’s side. I’d predict a 2-1 victory for the Reds, with strikes from Wayne Rooney and Radamel Falcao sealing the victory. While a goal from Sergio Aguero seems almost inevitable – as it does in every meeting with the Citizens, I hope this will be the game Falcao is handed an opportunity and makes the most of it. Aguero has currently gone 556 minutes in all competitions without a goal, and last netting in their first Champions League clash with Barcelona, Sunday will be the day this ends. Rooney has impressed all season, and should he remain as a striker for the clash, he’s my personal favourite to make the scoresheet.
Prediction: United 2-1 City (Rooney, Falcao; Aguero)
Holly Hunt
It might not have the appeal of an El Clasico, but the Manchester derby might be as good as it gets at this stage of the season for both halves of the city. I’ll be expecting a heated encounter nonetheless though, and despite United’s form looking up and their Sky Blue rivals seemingly heading in the opposite direction, fortune could favour anyone. For me, a home advantage could be just what van Gaal’s men need, particularly with Old Trafford most likely transforming into a bear pit when these two sets of fans collide.
Additionally, a healthy looking record on home soil this campaign may be just that extra bit of self-belief The Red Devils need to go on and reclaim the honours in this one. Two other factors that might play a part on Sunday is firstly, we’re situated above our neighbours for the first time in sixteen months. If that doesn’t drive the boys to hold onto that third spot – and perhaps advance to second – I don’t know what will. And although we’d like to forget our fierce rivals doing the double on us last season, just cast your mind back only for a moment no matter how painful and recall how you felt after a 4-1 drubbing. You don’t want to feel like that again, do you?
I’d go for a 1-0 win to United personally and put my money on Rooney claiming the decider. After all, he is the fixture’s all-time top-scorer. I suppose City could grab one on their day despite only being able to put a single goal past Palace, but even then I’d expect The Reds to find a winner with confidence high.
Prediction: United 1-0 City (Rooney)
Omar Al Hayek
Manchester United are coming off a solid win to Aston Villa and they should be able to use this momentum and confidence to stride past Manchester City, but it won’t be an easy feat. I predict a lot of goals to be scored in this game with United coming home by one goal. We have shown as of late that Old Trafford really is a fortress and it isn’t easy for someone to enter and dominate the game. If we are able to gain some dominance on the pitch we will be able to threaten and we will be clinical as we have shown we can be.
Despite Manchester City coming off a horrible run of games and a loss to Crystal Palace most recently, I don’t believe they can be ruled out of this fixture. They are a team with such quality and depth across the field, that anything that spark them. Whether it be a simple act by one of the players or a collective effort, if they get going they could be very hard to stop. Perseverance is something that they don’t lack and this is quite obvious in their recent fixtures. For example in their most recent loss to Crystal Palace they were dominating possession for most of the game with players like Yaya Toure and David Silva taking a lot of shots on goal, which eventually paid off with Toure scoring in the 71st minute. This is what is most dangerous about their squad. They will not give up.
Prediction: United 3-2 City (Rooney, Di Maria, Falcao; Aguero, Silva)
Harry Dean
Many think that this game will be a walk over for Manchester United, given the fact that City have failed to register a win in 4 away games. Sunday, I feel, will be a test of mental focus and we must treat this game as if Manchester City are at their strongest. With no major injury problems we are going into this game with a nearly fully fit squad, we are also currently playing our best football of the season. My prediction for the game is 2-2, I would take a draw now if it was offered to me. Rooney and Herrera to score for United and Sergio Aguero and David Silva to get on the scoresheet for City. I do however feel that we need to win this game but given the fact that we a have a bit of a jynx against the Citizens, I think a draw will be a fair result.
Prediction: United 2-2 City (Rooney, Herrera; Aguero, Silva)
