Manchester rivals City and United are both tied on seven points after four games of the Premier League season, and pretty confidently swept away their respective Champions League opponents in midweek. That makes this clash at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday completely unpredictable, with both sides yet to hit top form.
Manchester City vs. Manchester United: Preview and TV schedule
Both City and United are yet to hit top form, and meet in the season’s first Manchester derby on Sunday.
More from our team blogs: Manchester City blog Bitter & Blue Manchester United blog The Busby Babe
After City started the season with a great performance against Newcastle, they looked like they were already fully in tune with the approach of new manager Manuel Pellegrini. However, points dropped against Cardiff, Stoke and almost Hull means they still have some work to do. United, by contrast, have had harder games, dropping points against Chelsea and Liverpool.
For this match, City will be without defenders Martín Demichelis, Gaël Clichy and Micah Richards, while David Silva is in doubt with a hip problem. For United, Phil Jones is sidelined alongside Darren Fletcher, while Rafael and Danny Welbeck both face late fitness tests.
Manchester City Injuries and suspensions
Out: Martín Demichelis (knee), Gaël Clichy (knock), Micah Richards (hamstring). In doubt: David Silva (hip).
Manchester United injuries and suspensions
Out: Darren Fletcher (illness), Phil Jones (ankle). In doubt: Rafael (hamstring), Danny Welbeck (knee).
Projected lineups
Manchester City: Joe Hart; Aleksandar Kolarov, Vincent Kompany, Matija Nastasić, Pablo Zabaleta; Yaya Touré, Fernandinho; Samir Nasri, Sergio Agüero, Jesús Navas; Edin Džeko
Manchester United: David De Gea; Patrice Evra, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidić, Chris Smalling; Marouane Fellaini, Michael Carrick; Ashley Young, Wayne Rooney, Antonio Valencia; Robin van Persie
Match Date/Time: Sunday, 4 p.m. local, 11 a.m. ET
Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England
TV: NBC Sports Network, DirecTV (U.S. - English), Telemundo (U.S. Spanish), Sportsnet (Canada), Sky Sports 1/HD (U.K.)
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