Manchester divided as City host United

Manchester, March 2

Manchester City begin a defining stretch of their bid to become the first-ever team to win four consecutive English league titles when they host their latest derby against Manchester United tomorrow.

Second-place City (59 points) have been oddsmakers’ favourites to win the league throughout the campaign, despite strong challenges from leaders Liverpool and third-place Arsenal. City are now eyeing a run of fixtures that could make or break that aim.

With City having won five of the past six Manchester derbies in all competitions, it could almost be tempting to look past the sixth-place Red Devils (44 points). But City manager Pep Guardiola insisted United have been as good as any Premier League team since January.

“They went to Luton and beat them, Wolves and beat them, Aston Villa to go and win a few weeks ago. They have the biggest quality,” Guardiola said. “In 2024 they lost just one game, the consistency is there.”

Guardiola is factually correct. Qualitatively, though, United have been bailed out on several occasions by late goals that followed relatively poor performances for most of 90 minutes. — Reuters