The ongoing break in the domestic season for international fixtures to take place, along with postponements caused by the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, has made it a strange few weeks in English football.
However, once the international window comes to an end, it will be full throttle once again for the Premier League, and the first weekend back promises a smorgasbord of top-quality action. With Arsenal taking on North London rivals Tottenham on Saturday, there is then the small matter of the Manchester Derby to sink our teeth into on Sunday afternoon.
As football fans choose their Manchester City v Man Utd bet, and excitement builds for the fixture, let’s take a look at key areas where the game will be won.
The Haaland factor
If Manchester United are to have any chance of overcoming the odds and defeating Manchester City, the first step will be to keep Erling Haaland quiet. The Norwegian has made an explosive start to life in the Premier League, already notching double figures for goals this season. His unique ability to find the optimal spaces in the penalty area makes him the ultimate poacher, and he may well be licking his lips at the prospect of taking on a Manchester United defence that is known to be leaky on occasion.
Haaland’s presence is exactly what City have needed – he provides an outlet for their creative influencers like Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva, and with the 22-year-old on the field you know you have someone who will find the back of the net should you present him with the opportunity. It’s fair to say that Haaland’s performance will go a long way to deciding this upcoming Manchester Derby.
United continuing their good work
After an unsettling start to the season, which saw back-to-back defeats against Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford, Erik ten Hag has steadied the ship at Old Trafford, leading the team to four consecutive victories in the Premier League. However, this will be his biggest test yet, and United’s players will need to prove they can stand up to the big occasion.
City will likely dictate proceedings from the outset, and it will be important that United stay resolute in the early stages of the match to prevent Pep Guardiola’s side from building up a head of steam. Ten Hag may well draw lessons from how Ole Gunnar Solskjær approached fixtures against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. The Norwegian coach oversaw three away victories for United against City in all competitions, during a time when Guardiola’s side were at the peak of their powers.
Unsettling the opposition
It will be interesting to see who handles the occasion better. City will have confidence from the fact that they swept United aside in both Premier League meetings last season, but United will be eager to prove that they are making key strides in their quest for glory under Ten Hag.
While the Etihad Stadium can be one of the most difficult places to play if City get on a roll early on, things can get edgy if things don’t immediately go the home side’s way, and teams have had success attacking them head on. United’s task will be to make their opponents as uncomfortable as possible, and ensure they take their chances when they come.
