Manchester United new interim boss Michael Carrick dey face one hot baptism of fire on Saturday lunchtime as him side go lock horns with bitter rivals Manchester City for Old Trafford, the 198th Manchester derby. Fans from both sides dey hope for more action this time, after last encounter for Old Trafford in April last year end 0-0 bore draw.
Match Preview
Eight days after Ruben Amorim sack, Man United announce former captain Michael Carrick as interim head coach until end of season. This na him second stint for Old Trafford hotseat after three-game spell in Nov/Dec 2021 (W2 D1).
Carrick don return seven months after him dismissal from Middlesbrough (46.3% win rate in 136 games) and him take over Man United wey dey seventh in Premier League, only three points behind top four despite only one win in last six matches (W1 D4 L1).
Man United don draw three disappointing games against Wolves, Leeds, Burnley, then lose 2-1 to Brighton in FA Cup third round last weekend, Darren Fletcher last game as interim boss. This elimination mean United go play just 40 matches this season, their shortest campaign since 1914-15. Carrick go need immediate impact against Man City and leaders Arsenal. Against City, United lose reverse fixture 3-0 at Etihad in September and last fail to score in both league meetings with City since 1973-74.
Man City start 2026 with three frustrating draws in Premier League but dem crush Exeter City 10-1 in FA Cup third round and win 2-0 away against Newcastle for EFL Cup semi-finals first leg. January signing Antoine Semenyo don slot in seamlessly, scoring two goals and earning two MOTM in two games, while City dey close to signing Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. City dey on 13-game unbeaten run (W10 D3), and nine-game unbeaten in Premier League (W6 D3). But them still dey six points behind Arsenal with 17 games left.
Pep Guardiola, longest-serving Premier League manager (nine years, 199 days), dey prepare for 31st Manchester derby as City boss. Only Liverpool and Tottenham dem don lose more times to single opponent than to United (nine). City fans fit dey encouraged say City don win more Premier League away matches vs United than any other team (nine) and only Liverpool (41) score more goals at Old Trafford than City (37).
Team News
Man United still dey cope without Noussair Mazraoui (AFCON) and Matthijs de Ligt (back), while Shea Lacey dey suspended after red card vs Brighton. Carrick fit call on Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo wey don return from AFCON. Mbeumo, United top scorer (seven goals), dey likely start right flank. Carrick dey weigh Luke Shaw or Patrick Dorgu for left-back, while Kobbie Mainoo dey hope start ahead of Manuel Ugarte and Mason Mount.
Erling Haaland (12) and Igor Thiago (11) don dey involved in more PL goals since November than Bruno Fernandes (10 – 3 goals, 7 assists). Fernandes lead for chances created (56), line-breaking passes (17), and line-breaking passes leading to shots (30) this season. For City, Josko Gvardiol (tibial), Ruben Dias (hamstring), John Stones (thigh), Mateo Kovacic (ankle/heel), Savinho (unspecified), Oscar Bobb (hamstring) dey injured. Omar Marmoush dey AFCON with Egypt, Nico Gonzalez minor doubt. Semenyo don score three goals in last four games vs United. Rayan Cherki fit come back, maybe replace Jeremy Doku.
Possible Lineups
Manchester United: Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Mainoo; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Cunha; Sesko
Manchester City: Donnarumma; Nunes, Khusanov, Alleyne, O’Reilly; Rodri; Bernardo, Cherki, Foden, Semenyo; Haaland
Prediction
We say: Manchester United 1-3 Manchester City
Saturday contest go be first meeting between two teams both dey on three or more consecutive PL draws since Feb 2001 when Spurs beat City 1-0. Tight affair fit happen, but difficult to see no goals this time. United dey hope for manager bounce under Carrick for fired-up Old Trafford, but we dey back in-form City to outscore and collect three points plus bragging rights.
