In the midst of a horror race, Manchester City hope that derby day rivalries and rancor will provide a boost as Manchester United visit the Etihad Stadium.
Pep Guardiolathe team has won just once in the last 10 games with both Premier League title challenge and hopes of qualifying for the knockout rounds of the Champions League take a significant blow. To make matters worse, Guardiola faces a defensive crisis this afternoon with the suspended Ric Lewis and several other regular starters, leaving The Catalan coach is considering radical solutions to cause a turn in form.
For Reuben Amorimthis will be the first taste of a familiar accessory as the Portuguese manager continues to search for his best system and side. Amorim was pleased with the fight his side showed in Thursday night’s Europa League win, but a mixed record since his arrival reflects teething problems evident during his tenure so far. Can he become just the sixth manager to win their first Manchester derby in the Premier League era?
Follow all the latest from the Manchester derby on our live blog below:
Pep Guardiola is considering a radical option to solve Manchester City’s defensive crisis
The squad news at the Etihad Stadium is about 15 minutes away, with Manchester City facing real selection problems at the back. With only three old defenders at his disposal, Pep Guardiola was forced to consider some radical options:
Harry Latham-CoyleDecember 15, 2024, 3:00 p.m
Pep Guardiola and two meetings with Ruben Amorim shaping the Manchester derby
Pep Guardiola is on the fifth Manchester United manager of his reign in Manchester City. Under normal circumstances, this would illustrate the difficulty of training in and competing in the same city. After all, City have had 14 managers and four keepers during Sir Alex Ferguson’s epic reign at Old Trafford. Now Reuben Amorim it has made it five United managers, plus two keepers, Michael Carrick and Ruud van Nistelrooy, since Guardiola arrived in 2016. With his new contract running until 2027, there is time for one more.
And yet, Amorim’s Manchester derby debut offers him the chance to complete a rare feat. In the worst run of his managerial career, Guardiola has already lost twice in as many weeks to Ange Postecoglou. Amorim has the opportunity to emulate him, but to make a duplicate with different clubs. His penultimate game with Sporting CP it was a 4-1 triumph which earned the Portuguese club second place in the Champions League.
Richard Jolly15 December 2024 14:40
Man City and Man Utd are in crisis – but only one club has an obvious solution to avoid the start of the nightmare
All that leaves things a little gloomy ahead of today’s derby. Which camp would you rather be in? Pete Hall examines.
Harry Latham-Coyle15 December 2024 14:25
Inside Dan Ashworth’s farcical Man Utd exit and the soap opera power struggle at Old Trafford
And behind the scenes at a club that doesn’t necessarily settle under its new ownership structure, there’s plenty going on. Miguel Delaney explores the behind-the-scenes politics that forced Jim Ratcliffe to make the ruthless call.
Harry Latham-Coyle15 December 2024 14:10
Dan Ashworth’s departure puts an end to Manchester United’s latest farce
Having pursued Ashworth so relentlessly and shelled out a significant sum to recruit him from Newcastle, the sporting director’s departure was more than a little strange. Richard Jolly looks at the strange situation:
Harry Latham-CoyleDecember 15, 2024, 2:00 p.m
Ruben Amorim candidly admits Dan Ashworth’s departure from Manchester United
Although the events at Manchester City can more accurately be described as a crisis, it has been another turbulent week at Manchester United. Sporting director Dan Ashworth left the club on Sunday just five months after taking up his role.
Harry Latham-Coyle15 December 2024 13:45
Rasmus Hojlund says Manchester United need more time to adapt: ’We train during games’
These are still embryonic days for Manchester United under Ruben Amorim, with a new system to adapt to. Rasmus Hojlund appealed for patience as the club resolves some teething problems.
Harry Latham-CoyleDecember 15, 2024, 1:30 p.m
Bruno Fernandes urges United to forget City’s problems and focus on their own
Harry Latham-Coyle15 December 2024 13:15
Ruben Amorim says Man Utd are ‘my only option’ as he dismisses Man City speculation
United moved quickly to appoint Amorim following his sacking Erik ten Haag in late October, when he was being linked with City amid uncertainty over Guardiola’s future.
Harry Latham-CoyleDecember 15, 2024, 1:00 p.m
Man City are set to spend big on transfers after revealing their latest financial accounts
City made a profit of £139 million transfers when they sold Cole Palmer, Aymeric Laporte and Riyad Mahrez who could help finance the overhaul Pep Guardiola‘s aging squad.
Richard Jolly15 December 2024 12:45