Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has emphasized the importance of maintaining a tactical focus ahead of Sunday’s highly anticipated Premier League derby against Manchester United.
With City holding a comfortable 15-point lead over United and both teams in good form, Guardiola stressed the need to approach the match with composure and concentration on strategic aspects rather than getting caught up in emotions.
“In these types of games, it’s essential to stay calm and focused on the tactics required to secure a victory,” Guardiola remarked. “Emotions will naturally be present, but our primary focus should be on our game plan.”
This derby marks the first encounter since Sir Jim Ratcliffe became co-owner of United and expressed his ambition to challenge City’s dominance within three years. Guardiola acknowledged City’s recent success in the Premier League but highlighted the unpredictable nature of football over time.
“While we’ve enjoyed success in recent years, football history has shown that no team can maintain absolute control indefinitely,” Guardiola explained. “Our aim is to prolong our success for as long as possible, but we respect the ambitions of other clubs.”
Regarding United’s recent form and mindset, manager Erik ten Hag echoed Guardiola’s sentiments, emphasizing the team’s unity and readiness for the upcoming challenge.
“Our players are fully prepared and eager to perform,” ten Hag affirmed. “We understand the importance of this match and are focused on delivering a cohesive team performance.”
As anticipation builds for the derby clash, both City and United are gearing up for what promises to be a fiercely contested encounter, with tactical acumen expected to play a crucial role in determining the outcome.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
Manchester City have won five of their past six games in all competitions against Manchester United, with the exception United’s 2-1 league win at Old Trafford last season.
City are vying for a sixth Premier League double against United, which would be more than any other side, while they can keep clean sheets in both league meetings against their rivals in a single season for the first time since 1973-74.
They have scored 10 goals in their past two home games against the Reds, and are vying for three consecutive home league victories against them for the first time since a run of four wins between 1952 and 1955.
City have lost each of the last 15 league matches versus United in which they fell behind.
Manchester City
City are unbeaten in 35 home matches in all competitions (W30, D5), one shy of their longest such run under Pep Guardiola, recorded between 2016 and 2018. The club record of 42 matches was set between December 1919 to November 1921.
They are one short of scoring 600 league and cup goals under Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium. They officially already have 601 in designated ‘home’ games, having netted twice in a Champions League match staged in Budapest in 2021 because of coronavirus complications.
The Blues are vying to score in a 55th consecutive home match in all competitions, which would equal a club record set between 2012 and 2014.
Kevin de Bruyne is two goals away from 100 for City in all competitions.
Rodri is unbeaten in 58 appearances for City in league and cup since a 1-0 Premier League defeat at Spurs on 5 February 2023.
Erling Haaland has been directly involved in eight of City’s 10 goals in his three Premier League appearances against Manchester United, scoring five times and assisting three more.
The only City player to net more Premier League goals in Manchester derbies than Haaland is Sergio Aguero, who totalled eight in 13 appearances.
Manchester United
Erik Ten Hag’s side have won six of their past seven games in all competitions, with last weekend’s defeat by Fulham their only loss in nine league and cup fixtures this calendar year.
United have scored 18 goals in their last eight Premier League matches, as many as they netted in their opening 18 games of the season.
They have lost 10 top-flight fixtures this term, two shy of their highest total in a Premier League season (set in 2013-14 and 2021-22).
Twelve of their 14 league wins this season have been by a single-goal margin.
Bruno Fernandes is set to make his 150th Premier League appearance. He has failed to score in each of his last 14 top-flight games, though he has created 74 chances, a league-high prior to the latest round of matches.
