Manchester United host Manchester City in the Manchester derby this weekend, as Michael Carrick takes charge in his second spell as interim manager at Old Trafford.
The first two matches for Michael Carrick couldn't have been any more difficult as they host local rivals Manchester City and then the following week, league leaders Arsenal. The Red Devils have been faltering in their league form, with three wins in their previous 10 matches, and the home side is now winless in their last four games in all competitions, after the defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion. The timing of Carrick's appointment is key to Saturday's game, with the Manchester United hierarchy leaving the appointment until this week, leaving Carrick with limited time to work on training this season. This season, despite ranking high in goals scored (36), United have only kept two clean sheets. This doesn't bode well since Manchester City have the best attack in the Premier League with 45 goals scored.
The Citizens are favourites for the league double over their dearest rivals, and understandably so. Manchester City are in tremendous form, with no defeats in their last 13 matches after their victory away at St.James' Park. The away side are also on a magnificent run of league form with no defeats since the 2-1 loss away at Newcastle United back in November, having won six of their last nine league games, drawing the remaining three. Manchester City have won three of the last six league meetings between the two sides.
Manchester City should feel confident ahead of this game, considering there is an unknown factor about how well Michael Carrick will do in his first game in charge. Goals are expected in this fixture, given how open Manchester United have been, and Manchester City are missing Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol.
Manchester United 1-2 Manchester City
