Manchester United - Manchester City

The reds and the light blues clash early Saturday, and the whole world is watching. Manchester is on its head, at least for those who love football, and regardless of the table situation, the city's best football team will be crowned. There are two teams in very different situations that meet this weekend, and where most of it is just joy and fun for Pep's crew, it is complete chaos for Carrick and the gang. Amorim has backed the rental car out of the parking lot, and the former midfield general will lead the team until the board has hired a new permanent manager who will be fired months later. That's how things are these days in that part of the city. City, for their part, are hoping to close the gap against Arsenal, and maybe Semenyo can help do the job? The start could hardly have been any better. Regardless of the status of the two big clubs, this will be a battle!

Manchester United – Changes managers more often than you change socks

Because that's the impression now. We won't go into more detail about what a manager is at this point, but it's clear that being the head coach of a club is not the same as being the manager of a club. At least not if you compare the status this role had 10-20 years ago. You were almost completely in charge, and both player logistics and other personnel had to be approved by the manager. Today, other people are responsible for this part, and the coach is mainly responsible for making the best of what has been assigned to him. Not a role that everyone can adapt to, nor does he want to. Amorim resigned in the middle of this discussion.

What about those who are left? Well. It's been a long time between three points. United are sinking in the table, and as if that wasn't enough, the last chance for a trophy this season disappeared last weekend. Brighton were the best at Old Trafford, and the Red Devils only have the league to concentrate on. Some might claim an advantage, but I don't know, it's rarely an advantage to be knocked out of tournaments you want to assert yourself in.

Ahead of the match against the city rivals, Mbeumo and Diallo are back after finishing the African Championship. This of course helps. They have looked tame offensively, and the former in particular will be able to give Cunha the necessary relief. Whether that is enough to challenge the light blues is unknown. Neither Ugarte nor Mainoo impressed significantly against Brighton in the cup, so if they can shuffle the cards a bit before the visit on Saturday, it must be said to be an advantage for Carrick's team.

Manchester City – Three points from the last nine

Because things have stalled a bit in the league for Pep's boys. Brighton, Chelsea and Sunderland have been faced in the last three matches, and none of them have been won. Unusual from that perspective, and perhaps a little worrying too? In line with Haaland's goal drought, the points tally has also dried up.

But then it was the cup, and with it came the goals again. A 10-1 win over Exeter made the players smile, and so did the 2-0 win over Newcastle in the FA Cup. The one who is perhaps smiling the most is Semenyo. It gradually became clear that Bournemouth's big star was ready for bigger stages, and even though City have a lot of quality players ahead of them, the choice fell on the star gallery. Here he will compete against Bobb, Cherki, Foden, Silva and Doku, to name a few. As of now, the powerful attacker has had a flying start, and perhaps this signing will do Haaland good. Semenyo is strong, fast, and dangerous, and with that Pep has an extra threat in the back.

City need to start winning league games again. The two cup games are all well and good, but if you want to catch up with Arsenal this is not the way to do it. The games need to be controlled to a greater extent than they have been able to do recently, and in front of goal you need to be more clinical. A lot falls on a slightly tired Norwegian, but with some new blood in, maybe the problem will resolve itself.

There have been more City wins than United wins when these two meet in recent years, and considering the situation in the two clubs as of today, the visitors will probably have to accept a fairly dominant favorite stamp. United's defense is leaking, and with eager attackers in light blue, it could be quiet at Old Trafford early on Saturday.

Conclusion – Two teams with three straight draws in the Premier League

Do we have two teams with four draws in a row when the referee blows the final whistle? No, we don't think so. We think Manchester City will win. There are several reasons. There is a real bit of chaos at the Reds, and Fletcher's introduction didn't have any effect. Carrick is in the mix, but there is a limit to what you can achieve in two training sessions. If Carrick can't replace himself, I'm afraid United's midfield will crumble in the face of overwhelming force.

United have had Cunha to lean on lately. Sesko has actually had some better performances too, but beyond that it's thin. Mbeumo back helps of course, but if the contributions from the middle fail to materialize, he can't perform miracles either. A lot depends on who can take control of the center circle, and with the personnel available, the favorite label falls on the light blues.

In front of goal, as mentioned, Haaland has struggled a bit lately. Semenyo will probably start, and together with Foden, Haaland and maybe Doku it will be tough to contain. It is difficult to predict Pep's midfield duo, but we can assume that Rodri will be found. The substitute bench will also be so strong that if this match is more even than expected, it can easily be won with the right handling along the way.

Manchester City win, Haaland scores from open play again, and Semenyo continues his adventurous start. The Reds must hope that they have the audience with them, and that this is the day where the margins play on teams. We are afraid that there will be a little too many factors that have to occur at the same time. So it will be a B on the coupon this Saturday.

England at 1:30 PM: Manchester United – Manchester City: Away win (2.10)

Alternative game

England at 13:30: Manchester United - Manchester City: Over 1.5 goals to Manchester City (1.70)