Man Utd vs Man City Preview, Team News, Likely Line-Ups, Key Man + Predicted Score

Manchester United entertain Manchester City at Old Trafford this evening looking to dent their rivals title bid.

Despite an impressive 2-0 win away at West Ham on Saturday, United have endured a difficult season and have little left to play for domestically with the club currently sitting down in seventh position in the table – a full 11 points adrift of fourth-placed Arsenal – so are unlikely to secure a top four finish this season.

However, the defending champions wont give up without a fight and will look to secure the local bragging rights tonight with a win that would deal a real blow to City’s title hopes.

Manuel Pellegrini’s men moved up to third with a 5-0 thrashing of Fulham on Saturday and are now six points behind leaders Chelsea with a game in hand, so victory tonight would go a long way to closing the gap at the top ahead of another tricky trip to face Arsenal at the weekend.

Team News

United boss David Moyes gave little away at his pre-match press conference on Monday afternoon, with the Scot failing to provide any update on the fitness of Chris Smalling or Jonny Evans. Both have been nursing injuries in recent weeks and it’s unlikely either will feature tonight.

Rio Ferdinand missed the trip to former club West Ham on Saturday with a minor back injury so he could come back in this evening to play alongside Phil Jones at the back. This would enable Michael Carrick to move back in to midfield where he’s likely to partner Marouane Fellaini in the middle of the park.

Nemanja Vidic remains suspended so he joins Robin van Persie in missing the game after the Dutchman was ruled out with a knee injury.

Man City welcome back Vincent Kompany after he missed the Fulham game through suspension after seeing red against Hull the week before.

Pellegrini is still without key striker Sergio Aguero who’s still nursing a hamstring injury so he joins defender Matija Nastasic on the sidelines.

Likely Line-Ups

Key Man

Wayne Rooney: The England hitman was back to his best on Saturday as he scored a goal of the season contender with a half-volley from the half-way line against the Hammers. United will be looking to him for more magic up front this evening.

Predicted Score

Man Utd 2-2 Man City: It’s difficult to see City not scoring tonight but I have a feeling we might finally see a positive performance from United against one of the big-boys. Moyes has called for the players to give their fans a display to be proud of, and a draw won’t be a bad result for the beleaguered defending champions.

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