Manchester United vs Manchester City preview: The Run In hits crucial point live on Sky Sports
Watch Man Utd vs Man City from 7pm live on Sky Sports Premier League; Kick-off at 8pm
Wednesday 24 April 2019 22:47, UK
The Run In comes to a head on Wednesday when Manchester City make the short trip to Manchester United, live on Sky Sports, looking to return to the top above Liverpool.
Pep Guardiola's side will play their game in hand against their local rivals this week, currently trailing Premier League leaders Liverpool by two points.
For United, they remain three points off fourth spot after an embarrassing 4-0 defeat to Everton on Sunday and manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes it is the ideal fixture to get back on track.
"It was the best game we could ask for now. The players are hurting. We had a meeting after the game and you can see all the players were really hurt by that performance and the City game is perfect. There is no hiding place on the pitch," he said.
"Our fans will back you whatever as long as you give that effort against a City side who have been very, very good.
"We have got to be ready for the press and the quality they have got on the ball. When we win it we have got to be ready for their aggression because they will snap at your ankles and heels and kick you. They will not allow us easy counter-attacking. There will be fouls, no doubt about it."
Guardiola is also relishing the prospect of taking on neighbours United with his side needing a victory to return to the Premier League summit.
"We have to win four games to retain our title," Guardiola said. "It is not an easy place to go but it is a nice place to go. We know exactly what we have to do.
"It is a derby and all the times we play against United they are special games and players do their best."
Team news
Luke Shaw is available having missed United's last three games with domestic and European bans.
Phil Jones is a doubt after hobbling off in Sunday's 4-0 defeat at Everton but Ander Herrera, Eric Bailly and Antonio Valencia are pushing to be available.
Opta stats
This will be the 160th league meeting between Manchester United and Manchester City; United have won 62, drawn 51 and lost 46 of the previous such games.
Manchester City have only lost one of their last seven league visits to Old Trafford (W5 D1), with current boss Pep Guardiola winning both of his Premier League games there by a 2-1 scoreline.
Live Premier League
There have been just six previous Premier League meetings between Man Utd and Man City outside of Saturday or Sunday. Man Utd won the first in November 1994 (5-0) but are winless in the subsequent five (D2 L3).
No side has won more Premier League away games at Old Trafford than Manchester City (6, level with Chelsea).
Manchester United are unbeaten in their last 14 home league games (W9 D5). However, they have kept just two clean sheets at Old Trafford in the league this season - no side has kept fewer (also Fulham).
Manchester City have scored 155 goals in all competitions this season - the record for an English Football League side in a single campaign is currently 156, held by City themselves in 2013-14.
No visiting manager in Premier League history has won three consecutive trips to Old Trafford, with Man City manager Pep Guardiola one of just three to win both of his first two (also Sam Allardyce and Ronald Koeman).
Each of Manchester United's last three permanent managers has lost their first league meeting with Manchester City in charge of the club (David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho), with Alex Ferguson the last to win his first such contest, 2-0 in March 1987.
No player has scored more goals in Premier League meetings between Manchester United and Manchester City than Man City striker Sergio Aguero (8, level with Wayne Rooney). In fact, only Alan Shearer (10) has scored more Premier League goals against Man Utd than the Argentinian (8).
Merson's prediction
I think the league will be won here as I expect Manchester City to win easily.
Manchester United are just not very good. It was embarrassing against Everton and the players should be ashamed of themselves.
They need to work hard this week, which will not be enough, but it is the least they can do. To lose the way they did against Everton was mindblowing. They should be honoured to play for that club and they embarrassed it.
There could be some nerves for City as United will park the bus. You need the second goal to make sure you win every game because at 1-0 you never know, there could be a set-play and then it's level.
I remember when Tottenham lost the league to Leicester in 2015/16 they kept chasing it against West Brom when they were 1-0 up and then West Brom get a corner, score from it, and the league is over. You need to get that second goal.
If City win this game I can't see how they are going to be stopped. They have one game a week for three weeks and, no disrespect to the teams they are playing, if they can't win those three games with the squad they have got then they don't deserve to win the league.
PAUL PREDICTS: 0-4
Watch Manchester United vs Manchester City on Wednesday from 7pm on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League. See The Run In on Sky Sports with two football channels for the price of one.
