Manchester United face up against Manchester City on Sunday afternoon and Erik ten Hag must make changes in order to have the best chance of getting a result.

The Reds are currently in a strange situation after winning three games in a row for the first time this season. It still doesn’t seem like they’ve kicked into gear.

Last-minute heroics against Brentford and Copenhagen from Scott McTominay and Andre Onana sandwiched a fortunate 2-1 victory over Sheffield United where United simply looked uninspiring.

At the moment, results are the most important thing. Yet, with a game against their city rivals, United need their best performance of the season to get anything from the game.

You could easily argue that there should be many changes to the team for the game on the weekend. However, one thing that the manager and the team need is consistency.

Saying that; small adjustments must be made. Half-time substitute Christian Eriksen was able to turn the table against Copenhagen, but if United play as they did in the first half of that Champions League bout against Pep Guardiola’s men, they will not be in a position for someone from the bench to make such an impact.

So, we’ve looked at two players who should be replaced in the starting lineup for Ten Hag, which could give United the best chance of victory.

Scott McTominay

Scott McTominay was awarded back-to-back starts after his incredible injury-time double against Brentford. Whilst he scored during the win over The Blades, he also has given away two penalties in those starts.

He completed 38 passes in the 153 minutes that he was on the pitch. The lack of influence on the ball was shown and United cannot simply concede in this aspect against City.

It’s quite clear that the Premier League champions will look to control the ball but United need players in the midfield who can attempt to combat the strong City team in possession, whilst also looking strong defensively.

Mason Mount, who was benched for the last two games, offers the energy and pressing out of possession but also the qualities in possession to be useful in this tie. However, Christian Eriksen also deserves to start after positive impacts in multiple games.

And that leads us onto the next player.

Antony

Antony, the Brazilian winger, has failed to impress since returning to the squad and should be demoted to the bench despite United’s lack of natural right wingers available.

Jadon Sancho is unavailable and seems likely to be leaving Old Trafford in January, however, neither the Englishman nor Antony have shone when placed on the right flank at the club.

Whilst his defensive assets could be useful against what will likely be a dominant Manchester City side, there are two main reasons – which are linked together – why he should at least start from the bench.

Firstly, it links to the midfield. United must be compact and that could mean that Bruno Fernandes is not played in the engine room. A new-look midfield of Sofyan Amrabat, Mason Mount and Christian Eriksen could provide the right balance of defensive stability and ability in possession that Ten Hag is looking for.

Instead, the Portuguese could be stationed on the right flank as he looks to get the most out of his transitional threat, despite it not being his most comfortable position.

And even if that isn’t the approach that Ten Hag takes on Sunday. Many would agree that Alejandro Garnacho has done enough in recent cameos to take a position in the front three, with Marcus Rashford moving to the right side.

Also….

Hot discussion as Man United manager Erik ten Hag ignores watching rivals Man City play in the Champions League

Man City face Young Boys on Wednesday ahead of the Manchester derby.. Erik ten Hag chose not to watch the match as he went to dinner with his wife Follow Mail Sport’s new Man United WhatsApp channel for all the latest news
Erik ten chose not to watch Manchester City’s 3-1 win v Young Guys on Wednesday night before this weekend’s derby when he went out to dinner with his wife.

Manchester United will face Pep Guardiola’s Man City at Old Trafford on Sunday as they look to continue their run of three consecutive wins during the international break.
The Red Devils put in an unconvincing performance in beating FC Copenhagen 1-0 in the Champions League on Tuesday, which may only add to fans’ nerves ahead of the clash with the champions Premier League.
Many might have expected Ten Hag to sit back and watch Man City play in Switzerland on Wednesday to get another look at how Guardiola’s side might prepare for the match against his side this weekend.

But Ten Hag appeared at ease as he headed to his favorite Italian restaurant Piccolino with his wife Bianca, while City got on with their business against Young Boys.
Erik ten Hag visited his favorite Italian restaurant Piccolino on Wednesday night
He held the door open for other diners as he left the restaurant at 8:10pm
Ten Hag looked happy when leaving the restaurant next to his wife Bianca (middle) The couple went to dinner early but did not leave the restaurant until 8:10, when the Man City match was going quite smoothly.

As Ten Hag left, the Dutchman held the front door open for the other diners, but one of them insisted that he leave first..
There appeared to be no confusion on this occasion, unlike the previous night when he accidentally shook the hand of TNT Sports host Laura Woods after she interviewed him.
He quickly realized his mistake and made amends, while Woods saw the funny side of this awkward encounter..
Seeing Ten Hag in good spirits is a positive sign for the Red Devils after a difficult start to the season which has seen them lose six of 13 matches in all competitions.

The team had hoped to build on a positive first campaign under Ten Hag by winning the Carabao Cup and finishing third in the Premier League.
Ten Hag chose not to watch Man City beat Young Boys 3-1 ahead of the Manchester derby, with Erling Haaland scoring twice in the second half
But they have struggled to reach the same high level of form so far this season hey, putting pressure on Ten Hag, who has also had to deal with some off-field issues.
His side will now face their final test when they take on Man City on Sunday, with Guardiola’s side enjoying another strong start to the season.
They beat Young Boys 3-1 to maintain their perfect record in this season’s Champions League, and Ten Hag can happily not watch.
The match saw Erling Haaland continue his deadly form in front of goal after a brief slump before the international break, as he scored twice in the second half to secure all three points for the winners last year’s treble.

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Man City, Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool, Chelsea and Man Utd’s next five Premier League fixtures shows some clubs are likely to go down the EPL table

 

Manchester City enter the international break after back-to-back losses for the first time since 2018 and will be working hard to turn things around.

The Blues’ 1-0 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates will be heartbreaking, but the treble winners are still just two points off top spot. Pep Guardiola will be strengthened by Rodri’s return. The team lost all three matches and he was banned after a red card against Nottingham Forest.

City are unlikely to have it easy in their next series of Premier League matches in a period that will once again test the mettle of this season’s squad. The champions will confidently perfect their winning mentality to overcome Arsenal, who also face some tough encounters.

Brighton (H) – Saturday 21 October

Brighton also pose a tough challenge but must travel to the Etihad after four matches without a win, including a 6-1 loss to Aston Villa. However, they regained their composure to get draws against Marseille and Liverpool to restore confidence.

Homeowners must have enough to get the job done but never exclude seagulls from trespassing and stealing goods.

Manchester United (A) – Sunday 29 October

City may be going through difficult times, but their main rivals are living a nightmare. Only a late comeback prevented a defeat to Brentford that would have seen United lose three games in a row.

The champions will be eager for revenge after United’s controversial 2-1 win at Old Trafford in January. A heavy blow can send their opponents back to their pre-break form.

AFC Bournemouth (H) – Saturday 4 November

Bournemouth is one of two clubs that have not won a match in the Premier League this season. There seems to be a disconnect between Andoni Iraola, his players and the Cherries fans, and City will certainly try to exploit that. This will be the match where Erling Haaland sees the opportunity to score 8 goals this season. City have won 17 of 19 meetings with Bournemouth and have not lost a single match.

Chelsea (A) – Sunday November 12

Chelsea is no longer the same team as before but still needs to be respected. They are starting to show signs of a team that is perhaps starting to click after posting three straight wins.

They certainly won’t be challenging for top honors this season, but a number of Chelsea players have something to prove. City should have won all three points but will face a difficult journey.

Liverpool (H) – Saturday 25 November

In recent seasons before last season, this was one of two clashes that decided the championship and Man City had the upper hand. It is still too early to make a similarly contextual assessment of this encounter, but Liverpool have largely impressed so far.

Playing at home could see the hosts take all three points, while City have historically struggled at Anfield. This match, perhaps, will be more about seeing whether Liverpool will challenge them for the crown this time or whether Man City will have too much again.

Manchester United

Sheffield United (A) – Saturday 21 October

Man City (H) – Sunday October 29

Fulham (A) – Saturday 4 November

Luton Town (M) – Saturday 11 November

Everton (A) – Sunday November 26

Arsenal

Chelsea (A) – Saturday October 21

Sheffield United (H) – Saturday 28 October

Newcastle United (A) – Saturday 4 November

Burnley (H) – Saturday 11 November

Brentford (A) – Saturday 25 November

Which team do you fell is going down the table this month looking at the fixture? 

 

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Arsenal’s upcoming Premier League matches against Manchester City and Liverpool: ‘a tight one to call’

Arsenal will look to continue their unbeaten run in the Premier League this weekend when they travel to the south coast to face Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium. The Gunners suffered a slight defeat after a 2-2 draw with arch-rivals Tottenham, leaving them four points behind leaders Manchester City.

Of the teams in the top half of the table, only Mikel Arteta’s side and Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool are unbeaten in all competitions so far this season, both having made good starts to their respective European campaigns. Surname. The additional midweek matches will certainly hinder the team as they look to continue their good form in the top matches at the weekend, when Arsenal are already seriously injured.

Players such as Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard are all at risk of being sidelined and at risk of missing important matches of the Gunners’ season. With that said, football.london has taken a look at the North London side’s upcoming Premier League matches against their nearest rivals.

Bournemouth (A) – Saturday 30 September

Arsenal completed their unbeaten streak in all competitions with a trip to meet Bournemouth at Vitality Stadium. The Cherries claimed their first win under Andoni Iraola on Wednesday night, beating Stoke City 2-0 thanks to second-half goals from Dominic Solanke and Joe Rothwell.

Frontman Solanke will be their main threat alongside David Brooks and Philip Billing, all of whom the Gunners will need to keep quiet to continue achieving their 100% away win rate.

Manchester City (H) – Sunday October 8

The Emirates Stadium will then welcome the reigning European and Premier League champions when Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City come to town. They suffered their first defeat of the season to Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup last night, but will have a comeback game against Wolves between now and October 8.

Chelsea (A) – Saturday October 21

Arsenal next travel to Stamford Bridge to face London rivals Chelsea, after the international break the team has certainly struggled this season. Mauricio Pochettino’s blue team appeared to have done everything but score goals this month before Nicolas Jackson’s goal helped them beat Brighton 1-0 in midweek.

The match was played in a tight contest with Chelsea, meaning Arsenal could take advantage of their poor form leading up to this match.

Sheffield United (H) – Saturday 28 October

A week later, the Gunners will host newly promoted Sheffield United in north London. Paul Heckingbottom’s side have been competitive in many top-flight competitions but suffered a rude awakening when they lost 8-0 to Newcastle at the weekend. Arsenal will certainly be favorites for this match, but there are no easy matches in the Premier League and dropping unnecessary points is what killed their title race last season. .

Newcastle United (A) – Saturday 4 November

Eddie Howe’s side got off to a strong start against Aston Villa but then went on to lose their next three in a row. Now off the back of wins against Brentford, Manchester City and the 8-0 thrashing of Sheffield United, Newcastle will be well up for this one. Mikel Arteta will no doubt be wary of the danger both Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak can cause while also keeping an eye on their defenders who have popped up recently with goal involvements.

Manchester City

Wolves (A) – Saturday, September 30

Arsenal (A) – Sunday, October 8

Brighton (H) – Saturday, October 21

Manchester United (A) – Sunday, October 29

AFC Bournemouth (H) – Saturday, November 4

Liverpool

Tottenham (A) – Saturday, September 30

Brighton (A) – Sunday, October 8

Everton (H) – Saturday, October 21

Nottingham Forest (H) – Sunday, October 29

Luton Town (A) – Sunday, November 5

 

 

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Arsenal’s next Premier League games compared to Manchester City and Liverpool