(Football news) Both sides come into the much awaited match fresh off of Champions League wins—the Manchester United destroyed Copenhagen 1-0 while the defending European champions Manchester city defeated BSC Young Boys 3-1.
Red Devils and Copenhagen supporters united during a poignant pre-game homage to the 1966 World Cup champion, whose passing and legacy will also be commemorated this weekend across the nation. This was Manchester United’s first home game following the demise of the famous Sir Bobby Charlton.
In their last Premier League match before the Danish champions arrived, Erik ten Hag’s team had to rely on a stunning goal from Diogo Dalot to defeat Sheffield United. As a result of another lacklustre offensive effort, the back four had to come through once more to rescue the day.
In the 2023–24 campaign, Manchester United made it three times in the top division of European football thanks to goals from Harry Maguire in the second half and a stoppage-time penalty save from the under-fire Andre Onana. Ten Hag’s team has now won three straight games for the first time, though none of those wins have been particularly convincing.
Though a five-point gap still exists between them and Liverpool for the final Champions League spot, Man United has climbed to eighth place in the Premier League table with 15 points after fending off the threat of Sheffield United and Brentford in their last two Premier League games.
Since the beginning of the 2022–23 Premier League season, only Southampton and Crystal Palace have kept Man United from scoring in a home game. It is encouraging to Erling Haaland and company that the previously stingy Red Devils defence has yet to record a top-flight clean sheet at Old Trafford this season.
After missing out on scoring in Europe for the entire month of April, Haaland put an end to his goal drought in the Champions League as Man City defended their title against Young Boys. Young Boys held out for the first 45 minutes before Manuel Akanji scored early in the second half.
Meschack Elia’s incredible lobbed effort quickly nullified Switzerland international Akanji’s goal on home soil, but Haaland responded by ending a five-game run without a Champions League goal from the penalty spot. He then completed his brace with a classic arrowed finish into the top corner.
Pep Guardiola’s treble winners, who have yet to lose in European football this season, also managed to stave off an unbelievable third straight Premier League loss last weekend, defeating Brighton & Hove Albion by a score of two goals to one. This keeps them just behind leaders Tottenham Hotspur, who could take a five-point lead if they defeat Crystal Palace on Friday.
The fact that Manchester City has now gone six games without recording a clean sheet in all competitions and is in danger of losing three straight Premier League games for the first time under Guardiola makes the statistics not very favourable to the visitors. Not since the days of Manuel Pellegrini in 2016 have they experienced such a barren run in the top flight.
Manchester City swiftly fulfilled their revenge mission in the FA Cup final en route to joining their bitter rivals in English football’s exclusive treble club. However, Man United prevailed 2-1 in this fixture back in January, so an unfavourable record for the Catalan coach is not completely out of the question.
Also read: Chelsea set to play Brentford in the Premier League
