Premier League | Gameweek 31

Apr 6, 2025 at 4.30pm UK

Old Trafford

Man Utd vs Man City

Match preview

A player that Man United fans, and all other rival supporters, will be glad to see go, the dazzling and delightful De Bruyne will face the Red Devils one last time on Derby Day this weekend, having confirmed that he will leave Man City at the end of his contract this summer.

The long-serving Belgian playmaker will bring the curtain down on a glittering 10-year career at the Etihad, but not before attempting to help City's quest for their customary Champions League qualification, which received a timely boost against Ruud van Nistelrooy's Leicester.

Jack Grealish's long-awaited first Premier League goal of the season and Omar Marmoush's fifth saw Man City cruise to a routine victory over the Foxes, ending a two-game losing streak in the top flight and briefly pushing themselves back into the top four.

Chelsea's narrow victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday dropped Guardiola's side back to fifth, although England's superior UEFA coefficient means they are still in with a chance of qualifying for Europe's top flight, and of winning the FA Cup ahead of a Wembley semi-final against Nottingham Forest.

However, City have had a poor run of form away from the Etihad in the Premier League of late, winning just three of their last 11 top-flight games, losing six of them - as many defeats as they had suffered in their previous 37 matches combined.

Continuing the theme of Manchester teams losing away from home, Ruben Amorim's Red Devils were haunted by a former flame at Nottingham Forest's City Ground in midweek, as Anthony Elanga further highlighted Man United's glaring transfer deficiencies.

Where the likes of Antony, Jadon Sancho, Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have faltered, Elanga has flourished in 2024-25, leading the Garibaldi to victory on home soil with an extraordinary solo run and finish after just five minutes.

Amorim's shot-shy attack had no answer for the 85 minutes remaining as their four-match unbeaten run in all competitions came to an end, as did an identical run without defeat in the Premier League alone, leaving the top half of the table firmly out of their reach.

Silverware and a coveted Champions League spot are still on offer in the Europa League - Lyon host the first leg of their quarter-final next Thursday - but a failure to keep a clean sheet in any of their last 12 home games could see their hopes of continental glory dashed.

Man United have not seen off a visiting side at the Theatre of Dreams since December's 4-0 thrashing of Everton, a result that came just two weeks before a thrilling 2-1 victory at the Etihad, a result that means the Red Devils have not lost any of their last three Manchester derbies inside 90 minutes.

Recent Performance

Manchester United Premier League form:LDWDWL

Manchester United form (all competitions):LDDWWL

Manchester City Premier League form:WLWLDW

Manchester City form (all competitions):WWLDWW

Team News

While De Bruyne is fit, kicking and ready to soak up the fanfare in his final Manchester derby, the same cannot be said for Erling Haaland, who will be sidelined for the next five to seven weeks with a serious ankle injury.

The towering Scandinavian is part of an injured Man City quintet that also includes Rodri (ACL), Nathan Ake (foot), John Stones (thigh) and Manuel Akanji (groin), but Abdukodir Khusanov is expected to be given the all-clear after being ruled out in midweek.

However, Nico O'Reilly will not give up his place at the back lightly, while Grealish has done all he can to reclaim his number 10 spot, meaning De Bruyne may have to settle for watching from the sidelines.

On the home side, Lisandro Martinez (knee), Amad Diallo (ankle), Ayden Heaven (ankle), Luke Shaw (calf) and Jonny Evans (back) will all be out of action on Sunday, while Matthijs de Ligt remains a doubt after picking up a knock against Forest.

Harry Maguire should therefore be prepared for a recall to the back three, but Amorim told reporters on Friday that Kobbie Mainoo (unspecified) could be fit to return, although he will not be able to play the full 90 minutes.

Similarly, Mason Mount will be kept under review following his comeback from the bench against Forest, but Amorim has declared the former Chelsea man fit to start as he looks to finally ignite his Red Devils career.

Possible starting lineup

Manchester United possible starting lineup:

Onana; Mazraoui, Maguire, Yoro; Dalot, Ugarte, Fernandes, Dorgu; Mount, Garnacho; Hojlund

Manchester City possible starting lineup:

Ederson; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O'Reilly; Gundogan, Gonzalez; Savinho, Grealish, Doku; Marmoush