[EPL] Manchester City 0 - 1 Manchester United
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MANCHESTER CITY VS MANCHESTER UNITED
- LIVE @ STARHUB'S FOOTBALL CHANNEL 27.
- 7.40PM, *TONIGHT!*
FORM GUIDE
Manchester City
Manchester City 5-1 Birmingham City (Premier League)
Burnley 1-6 Manchester City (Premier League)
Manchester City 3-0 Wigan Athletic (Premier League)
Manchester City 0-2 Everton (Premier League)
Fulham 1-2 Manchester City (Premier League)
Manchester United
Blackburn Rovers 0-0 Manchester United (Premier League)
Manchester United 3-2 Bayern Munich (Champions League)
Manchester United 1-2 Chelsea (Premier League)
Bayern Munich 2-1 Manchester United (Premier League)
Bolton Wanderers 0-4 Manchester United (Premier League)
TEAM NEWS
Manchester City
Roberto Mancini is set to welcome back Wayne Bridge and Stephen Ireland into his first-team squad after injury, while Pablo Zabaleta is also likely to be involved after a two-match suspension.
However, veteran full-back Sylvinho is less likely to play a part in the game, as he has so far failed to recover from a calf strain.
Possible starting XI: Given; Onouha, Toure, Kompany, Zabaleta; De Jong, Barry; Bellamy, Johnson; Tevez, Adebayor.
Manchester United
John O'Shea and Owen Hargreaves are both fit and available for Sir Alex Ferguson — the last time Hargreaves was in one of United's Premier League squads was back in September 2008.
Wayne Rooney is likely to be involved according to Ferguson, although the Scot is unsure how big a part the striker will play in the game. The 24-year-old is nevertheless more likely to feature than Rio Ferdinand (groin) and Ryan Giggs (hamstring) who are both racing to be fit for the clash.
Possible starting XI: Van der Sar; Rafael, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra; Valencia, Fletcher, Carrick, Park, Nani; Rooney.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Manchester City
If City are to emerge victorious on Saturday afternoon, chances are Carlos Tevez will play a massive part in the result. The Argentine international has been in prolific form this season, scoring more league goals (13) than anyone else in 2010 on his way to 22 for the campaign.
His energy and industry is an asset in every game he plays, but with the extra incentive of showing his former employers what they are missing (again) Tevez should be well-placed to expose what could be an under-strength United backline.
Manchester United
Over 20-odd years at Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson has learned a thing or two about management, and Saturday's derby looks the perfect opportunity for the Scot to demonstrate his tactical expertise. Ferguson will look to pinch City in midfield, making it difficult for the likes of Gareth Barry to distribute the ball to Craig Bellamy, Adam Johnson and Tevez.
In this pursuit Darren Fletcher will be heavily relied on. The Scottish international is a diligent midfield worker, and will have to hassle his opponents and marshal his team-mates to prevent City's explosive forward line seeing too much of the ball in threatening positions. Only then might the likes of Rooney get the chance to show their own goalscoring quality.PREDICTION
Manchester City's players could hardly ask for any more incentive to finally put one over their illustrious rivals. Beaten in the final minutes of not one, but two ties at Old Trafford this season, Roberto Mancini won't have to do too much to get his charges fired up.
In contrast, United will need to draw on all their resilience and experience if they are to overcome recent disappointments and keep their ever-improving rivals at arms length for a while longer.
But with Carlos Tevez keen to prove yet another point and Wayne Rooney unlikely to play a full part in proceedings, that could prove to be the difference for the delighted home support.
Manchester City 2-1 Manchester United -
this is a must-win match for united.
a defeat will end their challenge.
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NO ONE WATCHING?!
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a draw is no use to united. they needed to win.
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rooney and giggs should have scored in the first half. the oldies must be tired by now.
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a very lucky win for utd.
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scholes scored 92nd minute goal. the oldie scored the winner for united.
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never say die attitude for united. united often score goals at the last minute.
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same teams, same referee, same result.
rooney should have been booked for a deliberate foul.
barry should have had a penalty.
both teams looked lethargic.
mancini sucks. his substitution served no purpose. why did he take out adebayor and johnson. bellamy was the worst player. he should have been the one substituted. whats the purpose of putting viera on?
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Well done Man Utd...
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Pressure on Chelsea again.
Macini's substitutions really pointless.
SWP was poor :(
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swp was okay to me, had a couple of good runs.
the most wtf sub was vieira's, i went wtf -.- this isnt just any other match, this is a huge derby for manchester, how can cin cai put ppl in?
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Scholes late show seals the points for Man Utd
An injury time header from Paul Scholes sent the Red half of Manchester into raptures as United dented City’s Champions League hopes with a 1-0 win at Eastlands.
The win reduces the gap at the top to just a single point, although Chelsea could increase that back to four with victory over Tottenham later on Saturday.
The match looked to be heading towards a draw after United wasted chances through Wayne Rooney and Ryan Giggs.
In a game of few clear cut opportunities Manchester City had their moments, most notably near the end with both Craig Bellamy and Wayne Bridge going close.
But deep into injury time Patrice Evra floated over a cross for veteran Scholes, who signed a one year contract extension this week, to head the 149th goal of his career past Shay Given.
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mancini should go in the summer.
city should go for mourihno if they want to be taken seriously.