Manchester Derby: Maresca Faces United Without Guardiola
For the first time since 2016, Pep Guardiola won't be on the touchline as Manchester City visit Old Trafford, with Enzo Maresca leading City into the 199th derby.
Manchester City can move eight points clear of Manchester United after just four games with victory in the 199th Manchester derby on Sunday, and for the first time in 28 meetings between the clubs stretching back to March 2016, Pep Guardiola will not be on the touchline.
Guardiola won seven Manchester derbies at Old Trafford during his decade in charge at City, though the fixture had turned in United's favour of late: City had won just one of their last six against their rivals before his departure. His successor, Enzo Maresca, is no stranger to the occasion. He served as Guardiola's assistant during City's Treble-winning 2022-23 campaign and takes his side to Old Trafford on the back of four straight wins, including a victory in Porto in midweek.
United, under Michael Carrick, have not finished above City in the table since 2012-13, the last season they won the league. They arrive on the back of their biggest win of the campaign, a 4-0 victory over Azerbaijani side Sabah in the Champions League, though their toughest test so far, against Everton, exposed more of a struggle. Bookmakers make City favourites at +115, with United at +210 and the draw at +275. Kick-off at Old Trafford is 4.30pm UK time.
City's summer rebuild has settled quickly. Elliot Anderson (S.C.), signed for £116m, completed 143 passes against Coventry City last week, more than the whole of the Sky Blues managed between them, and his tally of 122 passes completed under high pressure is the most by any top-flight player this season. It was Anderson who set the tone for derby week with a remark to City's official website.
Maresca was asked for his verdict on the claim.
Against Porto, City also gave a full debut to Ayyoub Bouaddi, and the teenager caught the eye enough to draw praise from Erling Haaland afterwards.
Anderson (S.C.)'s "kings of Manchester" line has done what such lines are meant to do before a derby: given both sides something to argue about at Old Trafford rather than in print.
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