BREAKING NEWS: Ruben Dias, the Manchester City defender, has admitted there is only one Manchester United player he fears facing in Sunday’s derby. He noted that this player, known for his clever passing, has the ability to diminish opponents’ market value. Surprisingly, he clarified it is neither Bruno Fernandes nor Alejandro Garnacho. To be fair, Dias has good reason to be concerned. Since Ruben Amorim’s arrival at United, this player’s performances have consistently improved, showcasing remarkable growth and reliability.

Arne Slot has addressed Kelleher’s dissatisfaction with his role at the club. The goalkeeper reportedly wants to leave because he is not the first-choice keeper, and Slot seems to have a response ready for the situation.

Ahead of a highly anticipated Manchester derby, Manchester City and Manchester United prepare for a clash with both teams struggling for form. City, who drew with Crystal Palace last weekend, suffered a midweek defeat to Juventus in the Champions League, jeopardizing their qualification hopes. This loss extended City’s poor run to just one win in their last 10 games across all competitions, including a heavy defeat to Sporting Lisbon, masterminded by Ruben Amorim, now United’s head coach.

Manchester City’s slump shows no signs of improvement, and United will aim to exploit this vulnerability at the Etihad on Sunday. Guardiola’s squad, already lacking confidence, faces the challenge of bouncing back without key players. Rodri remains unavailable, but there is some relief as Mateo Kovacic has resumed training and might feature in the midfield this weekend. Additionally, Guardiola must adjust his lineup with Rico Lewis suspended after receiving a red card against Crystal Palace.

Guardiola’s handling of the goalkeeper position has also drawn attention. Ederson has been dropped in recent Premier League games against Liverpool, Nottingham Forest, and Crystal Palace, with Stefan Ortega taking his place. It appears Guardiola will continue to place his trust in Ortega as the starting goalkeeper for this crucial derby.

On the other hand, United’s momentum under Amorim has slowed, with back-to-back league defeats to Arsenal and Nottingham Forest. Adding to the uncertainty at Old Trafford, Dan Ashworth’s unexpected departure has created further instability. However, United showed resilience in their Europa League match against Viktoria Plzen, where Rasmus Hojlund came off the bench to score twice, securing a much-needed victory. Amad Diallo’s impressive performance in attack also provided a bright spot.

Mason Mount, who replaced an underwhelming Joshua Zirkzee against Plzen, had a notable impact and could be in contention for a starting spot against City. United’s injury situation has improved significantly, with Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof now available. Luke Shaw remains their only key absentee, giving Amorim a nearly full-strength squad to choose from for Sunday’s game.

Predicted lineups reflect the tactical decisions both managers are likely to make. For City, Ortega is expected in goal, supported by Walker, Dias, Ake, and Gvardiol in defense. The midfield could feature Bernardo Silva, Ilkay Gundogan, and Savio, with Kevin de Bruyne, Jeremy Doku, and Erling Haaland leading the attack. For United, Onana is set to start in goal, backed by Yoro, de Ligt, Martinez, and Mazraoui. A midfield trio of Mainoo, Ugarte, and Dalot could support an attacking lineup including Diallo, Fernandes, and Hojlund.

With both teams grappling with challenges, this derby promises high stakes and intrigue. City’s recent struggles and United’s attempts to rebuild under Amorim add layers of unpredictability to what is already one of football’s most fiercely contested rivalries.