Manchester City faces challenges ahead of the Manchester derby, including squad changes, injuries, and goalkeeping confusion. United may exploit City’s weaknesses by targeting their defensive vulnerabilities and midfield struggles. Guardiola’s tactical decisions will be crucial in determining the outcome of the match.
Manchester City is gearing up for a crucial derby clash against Manchester United this Sunday, trailing their rivals by a single point. This sets the stage for a pivotal week for Pep Guardiola and his squad. The last time City entered a Manchester derby behind United in the league standings was back in December 2020.
While United manager Ruben Amorim faces scrutiny after a Carabao Cup exit and club legend Wayne Rooney voiced concerns about the team's state, United carries momentum into the derby following a victory against Burnley. In contrast, City has suffered consecutive defeats, placing Guardiola's team in a challenging situation early in the season. The Spanish manager acknowledges the need to address these issues promptly to avert a potential crisis.
Guardiola emphasized his focus on City's performance, expressing respect for their rivals. He noted the team's return from international duty and their eagerness for the game, understanding its importance to the fans. He said, "[It is] a really important game for us to change the dynamic and I trust the players a lot. We are going to do a good game."
Last season marked a disappointing campaign for Guardiola, failing to secure a major trophy for the first time in eight years. To revitalize the squad, Guardiola oversaw significant changes during the recent transfer window. Notable departures included Kevin de Bruyne, Kyle Walker, Jack Grealish, Ilkay Gundogan, Ederson, and Manuel Akanji. Their experience and influence within the dressing room will be missed.
To inject fresh energy into the team, Guardiola turned to youth, aiming to reclaim the title from Liverpool. Despite adding 10 new players for approximately £350 million, Liverpool's investment of £415 million this summer outstrips City's. City also faces challenges at right-back, with Rico Lewis struggling and Matheus Nunes conceding a penalty. An extensive injury list adds to Guardiola's concerns, with new signing Rayan Cherki sidelined for two months and other players also unavailable.
Club insiders remain confident ahead of Sunday's fixture. They acknowledge the significance of the upcoming week, featuring the derby, De Bruyne's return with Napoli in the Champions League, and a match against Arsenal.
The goalkeeping situation at City has been a source of confusion. Initially, Guardiola indicated that Ederson and Stefan Ortega would stay. However, City signed three new goalkeepers: Marcus Bettinelli, James Trafford, and Gianluigi Donnarumma. Ederson departed for Fenerbahce, while Donnarumma arrived from Paris St-Germain. Ortega turned down options to leave and remains at the Etihad, giving Guardiola four first-team keepers.
Former City defender Nedum Onuoha highlighted Ederson's value beyond shot-stopping, emphasizing his ball-playing ability. He cautioned that replacements may not replicate Ederson's skill set, potentially affecting City's play. Donnarumma brings vast experience as a match-winning keeper and now has the chance to shine in England.
United's Altay Bayindir will start in goal on Sunday.
City's struggles this season may be exploited by United, who could target two specific weaknesses. Amorim's tactics involve enticing pressure before launching direct passes and focusing on wide areas. City has conceded goals in situations where they failed to press the opposition's wide defender. United's tendency to go long and overload wide areas may pose a challenge. City has also struggled to win duels in midfield when games become stretched.
Former England midfielder Fara Williams noted that City's defensive habits and mistakes remain similar to last season. Guardiola's midfield selection and their ability to win duels against a direct United team will be critical in the derby.