Rivalries Renewed in the Premier League Part 1

Rivalries is the theme of the Premier League this weekend. We will be treated to two of the biggest rivalries that England has to offer let alone the Premier League. Saturday afternoon it’s the Manchester Derby. Manchester United vs Manchester City. Sunday evening, our attention turns to the North London Derby as Tottenham host Arsenal. Join me as I look ahead to these eagerly anticipated fixtures as rivalries are once again renewed in the Premier League. First…it’s the Manchester Derby.

In the reverse fixture at the Etihad in October, United where on the end of a serious flogging. Erling Haaland and Phil Foden tore Ten Haag’s men to shreds as they both netted hat tricks in what was a convincing 6-3 win for Manchester City. That result reaffirmed what we already knew to be true. Although City and United are only a few miles apart in terms of physical distance, the two clubs are worlds’ apart in terms footballing quality.

Now going into Saturday’s game that truth remains but the gap may be slowly closing.  For the first time in almost a decade, there is genuine significance placed on this game in terms of the impact it has on the league table. You might point towards 17/18 where United’s win delayed the crowning of City as champions with a 3-2 win. Truthfully, United were never in the title race that season as they 19 points behind City that season. That could still happen this season but as we are now, Manchester City sit in 2nd four points ahead of United in fourth. If United collect the three points on offer on Saturday, then the red devils go a point behind City and suddenly whispers about United joining the title race begins. This goes without saying but this is a massive IF.  However, it’s nice to have something on the line in this fixture rather than just footballing pride. This is a big game; big implications are required.

Manchester United come into this game in red hot form. Ten Hag’s side have won 8 games in a row and have suffered 1 defeat in 17 games in all competitions. United have been steadily improving as the season has progressed and are now in the best condition they have been in a long time. Manchester United look like a proper footballing team. Many will say that United have had it easy in recent weeks with the fixtures they have had. To that I say, winning breeds confidence which the Reds are high on now. None more than Marcus Rashford who is on cloud 9 right now. The 25 year-old is in the form of his career as he has scored in 6 games in a row, he is United’s top scorer with 15 goals in all competitions. Rashford holds the key to victory for his side as United’s biggest transitional threat.

Of course, the derby is the real test for this United side. In the derby we will see how far they have really come as they face the champions. There is no sterner test than Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. However, this is a test that the manager and players should and will relish. Confidence is oozing through the veins of the players and one thing that we do know is that these players turn up in big games. That has been evidenced on numerous times especially at Old Trafford. Arsenal,Tottenham and Liverpool have been dispatched so far this season with City next on the hitlist. United’s biggest weapon will be their threat in transition through the aforementioned Marcus Rashford. Casemiro is another player who will be integral. Ten Hag described the Brazilian as the “cement between the stones” when he signed in August. Casemiro has proved to be just that as he has utterly transformed the midfield. The defensive midfielder is no stranger to big games and his side will need him to be his destructive best against City.

United will need the perfect game to get the victory. They must be tight in defence and execute perfectly in front of goal. A win at the weekend will be the statement victory that truly announces dawn of the Ten Hag era.  All associated with United will remember that the club were gathering momentum for their meeting with City earlier in the season. Momentum which was abruptly halted. Therefore, United must be weary, they’ll be negligent not to be. Nonetheless, a win against there once noisy neighbours will really set United’s season in motion.

As far the blue side of Manchester are concerned, they once again come into the derby as favourites. A fairly new expectation which they are now used to having. Significantly, the away side has tended to fair better in Manchester Derbies of late which favours City on this occasion. Pep Guardiola’s City are in a different position in the league than they are used to. They find themselves 5 points behind leaders Arsenal whilst they are looking over their shoulders with Newcastle and opponents United 4 points behind.  The game at the weekend is vital for the champions. Every derby game is a must win, but a win for City is imperative if they are to keep pace with Arsenal at the top. Despite the pressure on the Citizens, it will not faze them at all. The scary thing about City is that if they perform to the level they know they can, then a victory against United is more than probable.

The worrying thing for City is that they haven’t been at that level we are used to seeing them at this season. Yes, they are still winning games of football, but they have not been convincing.  The Champions have not been at their electrifying best and have looked more susceptible than ever defensively. Despite City not being at the ridiculously high standards they have set for themselves; they have quality in abundance to destroy United as we all saw in October. All it takes is one magical cross from De Bruyne. Haaland to pounce a loose ball in the ball in the box. One Mahrez free kick and City are waltzing out of Old Trafford with 3 points. These big games are decided in moments and how well you execute in these moments. Pep Guardola’s side are blessed to have multiple players who can produce in these moments, more than what Ten Hag has in his side.

A win for City will mean that they create real breathing space between themselves and their cross city rivals as they will go 7 points clear. In addition, City will likely not have to worry about United posing a threat at least for another season. Pep Guardiola has said that he has, “Ridiculous” plans for the derby. Let’s see what he has in store.

The derby is sure to be a fascinating with individual battles and potential narratives. Haaland vs Varane. KDB vs Bruno. Casemiro vs Rodri. Rashford vs Walker. Ten Hag vs Pep. This game is not to be missed. The Manchester Derby has delivered in terms of entertainment in recent years and Saturday will be no exception.

Stay posted for part 2 tomorrow where I look ahead to the North London Derby.