Pressure continues to loom around Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ahead of the Manchester Derby on Saturday. It is yet another game that could again hold the United manager’s future at stake. Questions continue to be raised about Solskjaer following another shaky performance against Atalanta in the Champions League. While bragging rights are usually at stake in Derbies, there is so much more at stake in this particular Manchester Derby.
Manchester United face Manchester City in a very important Derby on Saturday. Click here to bet on Man Utd VS Man City on nairabet.com.
MANCHESTER UNITED’S INCONSISTENCY
United put on a commanding display in a 3-0 victory over Tottenham last weekend but fans are refusing to get carried away. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have a habit of turning on and off frequently, a bad case of inconsistency. It is not a good sign for Solskjaer who was reportedly given 3 games to save his job. United’s inconsistency was again evident against Atalanta in the Champions League this week. Atalanta were the better side for most parts of the game and were unlucky not get a deserved win over the Red Devils. With so much at stake, the last thing Solskjaer needs is a visit from the Premier League champions, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. Manchester City can be brutal and are known to ruthlessly punish leaky defenses.
It is however not all gloom and doom for United and Solskjaer. He has still won more games than lost against Pep. In fact, United have not conceded a single goal to Manchester City in the Premier League since December 2019. Solskjaer seems to have found a formula to beat Guardiola and he’ll be hoping he gets things right on Saturday. He’ll also be hoping to capitalize on Cristiano Ronaldo’s red hot form. Ronaldo has scored 3 goals in his last 2 matches including a brace against Atalanta. Their performance has to be much better however. A bad result such as a 3-0 or 4-1 loss at Old Trafford against another bitter rival could very well spell the end of Solskjaer’s reign.
Cristiano Ronaldo is in great form ahead of the Manchester Derby. Click here to bet on Ronaldo to score against City @ 2.75 odds & other markets in Man Utd VS Man City.
ARE MANCHESTER CITY UP TO THE TASK?
Manchester City are capable of beating any team in the World when they’re at their best. The problem is that they haven’t been at their best several times this season. City beat Club Brugge on Wednesday and went top of their Champions League group. However, they fell to a 2-0 loss at home against Crystal Palace last weekend. West Ham also dumped them out of the League Cup before that. Guardiola’s City are surprisingly showing glimpses of inconsistencies that is uncharacteristic of them.
Critics have pointed out Guardiola’s decision to continue playing without a recognized striker as a reason for this inconsistency. City have however recorded big victories this season with the same tactics. Pep will have to get it right ahead of the Manchester Derby. Manchester United may not be in form but they’re still tricky opponents for the Champions. Manchester City have not beaten their neighbours in the Premier League since April 2019. Guardiola will also be keen to avoid falling further behind in the Title race as they are already 5 points behind Leaders, Chelsea.
Manchester City have not beaten Manchester United in the Premier League since April 2019 but United are in poor form. Click here to bet on City to beat United @ 1.72 odds & other markets in Man Utd VS Man City.
HEAD TO HEAD
Manchester United have a decent record against Manchester City in the Premier League recently. In the last 7 games between both clubs, United have won 4 times, City have won 2 times and they’ve drawn once. City did however dump United out of the League Cup in 2020 and 2021.
RECENT LEAGUE FORM
Manchester United: LDLLW
Manchester City: WDWWL
Leave a Reply