Man Utd vs Man City Preview, Team News, Likely Line-ups & Predicted Score

Manchester United welcome Manchester City to Old Trafford on Monday night looking to go one step closer to regaining the Premier League trophy from their fierce rivals.

United hold a commanding 15-point advantage over the defending Premier League champions with just eight games to go, so a home win tonight would all but secure United’s 20th league title.

City not only snatched the title from United’s grasp in the dying second’s last season but they also thrashed their rivals 6-1 in the corresponding fixture at Old Trafford, so Sir Alex Ferguson will have revenge in mind this evening.

Ferguson’s’ men head into the game in ominous form having won their last seven games on the bounce and haven’t tasted defeat since being beaten 1-0 by Norwich back in November 2012.

Roberto Mancini’s City on the other hand have won just three of their last six – a run that includes two defeats to Southampton and Everton – so the Italian will be keen for a positive result tonight to not only save face against their rivals but also cement their place in the top two with Chelsea and Tottenham now breathing down their necks.

Team News

Fergie is sweating on the fitness of Nemanja Vidic and Joony Evans with the defensive pair struggling with back and hamstring injuries respectively. The duo are expected to make the bench at best with Rio Ferdinand and Chris Smalling likely to start at the back.

Wayne Rooney is fit to return to the starting line-up after a groin injury kept him out of the last two games against Sunderland and Chelsea, while Rafael is also back after recovering from his own groin complaint.

Mancini will be able to call upon the services of David Silva and Samir Nasri after the pair recovered from minor knocks picked up during last weeks 4-0 win over Newcastle United.

Defender Matija Nastasic is also back in contention after shacking off a foot problem but Micah Richards, Maicon and Jack Rodwell are all still short of fitness.

Likely Line-ups

Predicted Score

Manchester United are in devastating form while City arrive at Old Trafford playing for pride with the title all but certain to be heading back to the red half of Manchester. Sir Alex Ferguson’s side may not have been at their free-flowing best of late going forward but they’ve kept six clean sheets on the bounce and this rock-solid base should see them edge past City tonight. Man Utd 2-1 Man City

What would be your starting eleven for the game and whats your score prediction? Get involved in the comments section below.