Man Cityvs.Man Utd

The Red Devils have lost their last three Premier League away matches against the Citizens, conceding 13 times in the process, including a 3-1 defeat in the corresponding game during the 2023-24 campaign.

Man United have not lost four successive league visits to Man City since 1955, so they will be aiming to avoid their worst away run in the derby for 69 years when the two teams lock horns at the Etihad Stadium this weekend.

The 20-time English champions have not managed to overcome the Citizens away from home in the Premier League since March 2021, when Bruno Fernandes and Luke Shaw were on the scoresheet in a 2-0 success.

Four of the last five Manchester derbies have been won by Man City, but Man United recorded a 2-1 victory in last season's FA Cup final - a result that played a major role in Erik ten Hag keeping his job as head coach.

Man United facing prospect of worst away run in derby since 1955

Red Devils head coach Ruben Amorim said during his pre-match press conference that he is "really focused on the details", as he prepares for his first taste of the Manchester derby.

"I'm really focused on the details. I just want to improve the team so I cannot live it like a normal derby, like it should be - two great teams fighting for the title," he told reporters.

"And it's not that in this moment. So it's just one more game with a very good opponent. Both teams are struggling in the moment, so I hope, in the future, I feel that real feeling of a derby. But I know that it's really important for our fans. But my goal now is to improve the team, win games and I will try to win this game."

Man United will enter the contest off the back of a 2-1 success over Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League, with Rasmus Hojlund coming off the bench to score a brace after a mistake from Red Devils goalkeeper Andre Onana had gifted the hosts the opener.

Man United last lost three league games in a row in the same season in 2015

However, the Red Devils have lost their last two Premier League matches against Arsenal and Nottingham Forest.

The 20-time English champions have not lost three Premier League matches in a row in a single season since December 2015 under the management of Louis van Gaal.

Amorim revealed during his press conference that Jonny Evans could return to the squad on Sunday after a recent fitness issue, meaning that Shaw may be the team's only absentee for the derby.

The Red Devils are currently 13th in the Premier League table, boasting 19 points from their opening 15 matches of the campaign, which has left them eight points behind fourth-placed Man City.

Written by

Matt Law