Man City v Man United: Erling Haaland vs Rafael Varane, Lisandro Martinez and more important fights | Football News

Manchester City and Manchester United will compete in the 188th Manchester Derby at Etihad Airways on Sunday. sky sportsAhead of the Premier League head-to-head, we discuss the key battles.

State of play before kick-off

Champions City and United are five behind ahead of the rivals’ first meeting of the season, but Erik ten Hag’s side still has a game to play.

City have won five and drawn two from their seven games so far this season, amassing a total of 17 points. United have won their last four games after losing his first two games, and in six games he has scored 12 points.

Of the last 187 Manchester derbies, 57 have been City, 77 United and 53 draws. The last time he played City at the Etihad in March he finished 4–1.

key battle

Can Valan and Martinez stop Harland?

City have scored 23 goals in the Premier League so far this season, more than any other team. Erling Harland has earned almost half of them (11).

The Norwegian national team, who have netted 14 times in all competitions since joining from Borussia Dortmund, are likely to face each other. Raphael Varane When Lisandro Martinez on sunday. Manchester United’s new pair of centre-backs have been key to their recent mini-revival, but there’s no greater test in football than facing the world’s most prolific number nine.

City won the league title last season with 99 goals, but it was without Haaland. They scored four for United in the last derby in March.

But seven months later, a lot has changed at Old Trafford. While the arrival of a new manager and new players has breathed new life into Manchester’s Red side, his four-game win streak from a dismal start to the season has created a very different mood. . It’s no coincidence that United’s sudden turn of the tide has happened, with Varane and Martinez at the heart of their defense.

A lot has been said about Martinez’s height, which stands at 5 feet 9 inches, but statistics suggest it was nothing too much of a fuss. When United kept a clean sheet for the first time this season against Southampton last month, the Argentinian had his five wins in the air and his 100% success rate on the ground. He continues that impressive form, and alongside him, Varane reflects on his best conducting.

Their performance has kept United captain Harry Maguire on the bench, and they hope to strengthen Ten Hag’s position as the first-choice defensive duo by holding off the nearly unbeatable Haaland at the Etihad. Aspiring. How the City plots to outwit them will be an interesting watch.

Does De Bruyne have too much for McTominay?

Varane and Martinez have received a lot of praise in recent weeks, Scott McTominay‘s improved performance also contributed to United’s turnaround.

Despite calls from supporters to drop him early in the season, McTominay has responded admirably to criticism and is now Ten Hag’s favorite player to defend the back four. Casemiro has a £70million defensive midfielder on the bench which is a testament to how well Scotland are playing.

McTominay has excelled in United’s four-game winning streak, but Sunday’s derby will be a tough challenge.Nothing is harder than trying to quit Kevin De Bruyne.

The Belgian played an important role as City continued their unbeaten start to the season with a 3-0 win over Wolves before the international break.

He has two assists for Molineux, taking his total in the Premier League to 92. That’s the same number Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has scored in more than twice as many games as him. De Bruyne has led the league in six of seven games this season.

Is there a better midfielder in world football right now? That’s what McTominay faces.

Is it Grealish to give Dalot a reality check?

Diogo Dalot the shape of his life. He established himself as United’s first-choice right-back under interim manager Ralf Rangnick last season and has maintained that position under new manager Ten Hag.

He has been a constant presence in the league this season and is arguably United’s most improved player under Dutchman. I’m here.

Dalot underscored his attacking credentials by scoring twice in Portugal’s recent 4-0 win over the Czech Republic, but it will be his defensive skills that will be most tested on Sunday when he is likely to face them. I am determined. Jack Grealish.

Despite admitting he hasn’t played his best since joining from Aston Villa for £100m last year, Grealish has started three straight games in all competitions on the left side of City’s attack and won against Wolves. Scored the first goal of the season in the last timeout.

It wouldn’t be a surprise if he were crowned champion again on Sunday, as Dalot will have to prepare for a different type of challenge. No doubt it will, but the 23-year-old’s trademark forward looting needs to be executed with more care and precision at the Etihad.

Sancho can prove Southgate’s claim

Another player who has benefitted from playing for Ten Hag is Jadon SanchoThe winger played a key role in the preseason as part of a flowing forward line and brought that impressive performance into the new campaign. It took him 24 games to do it last season.

The 22-year-old has rediscovered the form that convinced United to pay £73m to sign him from Borussia Dortmund last summer, but his recent play has yet to convince anyone. has not yet reached He was left out of his side by Gareth Southgate’s latest England side in his Nations league matches against Italy and Germany.

But Sunday will probably give him one last chance to force a Southgate hand before deciding on next month’s World Cup squad. Kyle Walker I was able to do just that. A performance like that makes it almost impossible for the Three Lions Boss to ignore.

But overcoming walkers is a one-size-fits-all task. Since joining City in 2017, the England international has transformed into perhaps the best defensive full-back in the world. Eden Hazard, Neymar and Bukayo Saka have described Walker as one of the toughest opponents they have ever faced.

The 32-year-old’s excellent recovery pace and ability to defend one-on-one situations make a potential fight with Sancho perhaps the most interesting, given United’s tendency to attack teams with counter-attacks. increase.

Sancho, who scored goals against Walker and City in March under Rangnick, is arguably playing more confidently under Ten Hag. Sunday’s fixture will show how much he has improved.

Man City vs Man United: The £1 Billion Showdown

The first Manchester derby of the season takes place this Sunday in front of Sky Sports cameras.

clock manchester city vs manchester united Live coverage of the Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event from 1pm on Super Sunday. Kick off at 2pm.