A derby without Guardiola
Ten years. That’s how long it has taken for the Manchester derby to be staged without Pep Guardiola in the City dugout.
On Sunday at Old Trafford, it will be Enzo Maresca in charge. Three wins from three Premier League games to open his reign, plus a 2-0 victory in Porto in the Champions League. On paper, everything looks fine.
On the pitch, not so much. City were hammered 3-0 by Arsenal in the Community Shield. Since then, the back line has been giving supporters the jitters. In five matches across all competitions, the Citizens have allowed at least three big chances on three occasions. Against Coventry, they won 1-0 but could easily have folded: Taiwo Awoniyi missed a golden early chance, Jack Rudoni was denied from point-blank range by Gianluigi Donnarumma, and Ellis Simms crashed into the keeper’s face late on.
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Haaland, the usual nightmare
United hardly needs reminding who Erling Haaland is.
Eight goals in seven Premier League matches against the Red Devils. Only Mohamed Salah (13) and Alan Shearer (10) have done better in the competition’s history. His 7.1 xG against United is his third-best tally against any single opponent.
Then there is the calendar. August (24 goals) and September (16) are his two most productive months in the Premier League. He has scored in his last three matches in all competitions.
The one small boost for United: Haaland has only scored twice at Old Trafford in the league. He has only played there three times.
Mainoo vs Anderson, Shaw under the spotlight
The midfield battle is worth the ticket alone. Kobbie Mainoo, the only English outfield player not to play a single minute at the World Cup, has made a flying start to the season. He wins 68.2% of his duels, the sixth-best figure among midfielders with more than 90 minutes played this season, and regains 10.1 balls per 90 minutes. That is second in the same group.
At the other end, Elliot Anderson has stepped into Rodri’s shoes without blinking. Among those same midfielders, he ranks first for passes per 90 minutes (121.4), progressive carries (19.5) and line-breaking passes (76).
Then there is United’s left side. Luke Shaw was beaten for pace by Abdul Fatawu against Ipswich, then was too slow for Tyrique George’s goal at Everton. Half of United’s open-play goals conceded have come down his flank. City are going wide even more than usual: 13.7 open-play crosses per match, more than in any of the previous three seasons.
United, meanwhile, will try to hurt them in behind. Bryan Mbeumo has 49 runs in behind the defence, more than any other player in the league.
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