Pep Guardiola’s side were not in action in the Premier League last weekend, as they contested an FA Cup semi-final with Arsenal at Wembley instead. The fact that City were defeated in that game means they can no longer win a trophy this season, so the club’s sole focus is now on securing a Champions League qualification spot in the final few weeks of the 2016/17 campaign. A top-four finish is in their own hands heading into this midweek clash: City are a point clear ahead of United in fourth, while they are two points behind third-placed Liverpool having played two fewer matches. There is, however, still work to be done for Guardiola in the final few weeks of the season to ensure his team are part of next year’s edition of Europe’s principal continental competition.
Manchester United’s top-four hopes looked to be all but over a few shorts week ago, but Sunday’s 2-0 defeat of Burnley was their third Premier League win in a row and means they head into the Manchester derby just a single point adrift of the final qualification place. The Red Devils recently made it through to the semi-finals of the Europa League, too, with the winners of that competition set to be advance to the group stage of the Champions League. It would be interesting to know what Jose Mourinho’s primary objective is at this moment in time, but either way he will be desperate to see his side continue their positive momentum and recent form on Thursday.
City will be unable to call upon Bacary Sagna (groin) and Ilkay Gundogan (knee), while David Silva (hamstring), John Stones (muscle), Sergio Aguero (muscle), Fernandinho (muscle) and Gabriel Jesus (foot) will all be assessed. Vincent Kompany will continue in the heart of the backline after coming through the semi-final against Arsenal unscathed, while Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling will provide speed and directness on the flanks.
United, meanwhile, will have to make do without Zlatan Ibrahimovic (knee), Marcos Rojo (knee), Juan Mata (groin), Phil Jones (toe), Chris Smalling (knee) and James Wilson (knee), but Paul Pogba (muscle) and Ander Herrera (ankle) should be fit enough to feature from the first whistle. Marcus Rashford is the favourite to start up front in Ibrahimovic’s absence, with Michael Carrick in line to start if either Herrera or Pogba are unavailable.
Taking everything into account, it could be worth backing United to come out on top at the Etihad Stadium. The Red Devils will be content to sit deep and allow their opponents plenty of possession, before launching quick breaks forward when control of the ball changes hands. City have been suspect defensively for much of the season, so it is an approach which could bear fruit. In the anytime scorer market, meanwhile, Rashford – who netted the winner in this fixture last term –would be a sensible selection.
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