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All of Pep Guardiola\u2019s work ahead of the Manchester derby this weekend has naturally revolved around having a high percentage of possession, which is to be expected, but there is one surprising element to it. He has been scrutinising what more pragmatic sides such as Brentford, Brighton and even Copenhagen did against United for instruction.<\/p>\n
All of them went to Old Trafford looking to get on the ball and dominate \u2013 with mixed success \u2013 in a way that at one point would have been unimaginable. It is really only Nottingham Forest who didn\u2019t take that approach this season, preferring to let United have the ball. In United\u2019s nine Premier League games so far, they have had lower possession than their opponent in four of those. In other words, they\u2019ve been chasing the opposition in almost half of their games.<\/p>\n
This would be unusual for most big sides in this era but is particularly unusual for a manager in Erik ten Hag who is so consciously a disciple of the Ajax principles, and has now had well over a year in the job. That\u2019s a lot of time on the training ground. Manchester City had even considered him a potential successor to Guardiola, given the tactical alignment.<\/p>\n
Manchester United vs Man City preview, by Miguel Delaney<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Erik ten Hag is having to improvise this season without the right players to play in the Ajax mould, but that might make Pep Guardaiola\u2019s job more difficult when they meet at Old Trafford<\/p>\n Andre Onana has called for his Manchester United teammate Alejandro Garnacho not to be punished by the Football Association after the Argentine winger posted two gorilla emojis beside a picture of the Cameroonian goalkeeper.<\/p>\n The image, on Garnacho\u2019s X account, showed Onana celebrating with clenched fists after his last-minute penalty save ensured United beat FC Copenhagen 1-0 in their crucial Champions League group stage match at Old Trafford on Tuesday evening.<\/p>\n Garnacho, 19, was criticised by some fans on social media for using gorilla emojis, which have racial connotations, and he deleted the post soon afterwards. The FA is now investigating.<\/p>\n Onana later posted on Instagram: \u201cPeople cannot choose what I should be offended by. I know exactly what @garnacho7 meant: power & strength. This matter should go no further.\u201d<\/p>\n Ten Hag said: \u201cWe are talking with FA to see what [happens], I can confirm that. I want to emphasise that we are together and united and you have seen the post of Andre Onana.\u201d<\/p>\n The Football Association is investigating Garnacho\u2019s social media post <\/p>\n Pep Guardiola, who has helped Manchester City transform this fixture in recent years, on whether Manchester United can compete for the Premier League title again. <\/p>\n \u201cMaybe not in the way that Sir Alex Ferguson did because back then there were just two or three teams, now there are more with a lot of incredible managers.<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe not in that way but if they take good decisions, with the hierarchy, with the sports director, with the managers, with the players and the same ideas, Manchester United when something happens is in the highlights all day.<\/p>\n \u201cThe reputation and the prestige they have is always there. It just needs to click.<\/p>\n \u201cThere was one year with Ole that was close. But Liverpool have been our biggest rivals – they made us challenge higher and higher and helped make us a better team in all departments. They challenged us like no other team has done before.<\/p>\n \u201cIt takes time. United is able to win four, five six games in a row. If they do that they will be on top.<\/p>\n \u201cLeave the manager to do the job that here they allowed me to do in my first season when we didn\u2019t win. Give time to the managers and they will do it.\u201d<\/p>\n Old Trafford will continue to pay its respects to Sir Bobby Charlton today as they host neighbours Manchester City. <\/p>\n There were emotional tributes on Tuesday as United played Copenhagen at Old Trafford and that will continue today in the Premier League. <\/p>\n Manchester United host Manchester City in the derby at Old Trafford today looking for a third successive Premier League win – but the match is kicking off at the \u201cunusual\u201d time of 3:30pm.<\/p>\n The clash between Erik ten Hag and Pep Guardiola looked set to take the 4:30pm slot on \u2018Super Sunday\u2019 – which is when the standout fixture of the weekend is usually played.<\/p>\n But the kick-off time has been brought forward by an hour following consultation between the local authorities and broadcasters, with both clubs agreeing to the change.<\/p>\n It means the earlier televised match on Sunday afternoon between West Ham and Everton has been brought forward by an hour, with a 1:00pm kick-off time at the London Stadium.<\/p>\n A statement from Manchester United confirmed: \u201cThe unusual start time was agreed following consultation between the clubs, the broadcaster and local authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n The kick-off time was brought forward by an hour following an agreement between the clubs <\/p>\n It\u2019s derby day in Manchester on Sunday and a battle between two clubs who have not started the Premier League campaign as well as they would have hoped.<\/p>\n If that seems a harsh assessment of Manchester City\u2019s season when they entered the weekend two points off the top, losing successive league matches for the first time in five years would not have been on Pep Guardiola\u2019s agenda in August.<\/p>\n But things have been worse at Old Trafford, with Manchester United making their customary stumbling start to another season which undermines their hopes of success.<\/p>\n With football betting sites making the visitors 7\/10 favourites at the time of writing, will United find themselves firmly in mid-table by Sunday evening?<\/p>\n Manchester United welcome Manchester City to Old Trafford on Sunday with the aim of cutting the gap between the clubs to just three points<\/p>\n What is the team news?<\/strong><\/p>\n Casemiro is an injury doubt for United due to the ankle injury that ruled the midfielder out of last weekend\u2019s win at Sheffield United. Aaron Wan-Bissaka has returned to training but United remain without Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martinez and Tyrell Malacia, while Jadon Sancho is still away from the first-team.<\/p>\n City will be without defender Manuel Akanji after his late red card in last weekend\u2019s win against Brighton, but Kevin De Bruyne is their only injury absentee.<\/p>\n Predicted line-ups<\/strong><\/p>\n Manchester United: Onana; Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Reguilon; Amrabat, McTominay; Rashford, Fernandes, Antony; Hojlund<\/p>\n Manchester City: Ederson; Walker, Stones, Dias, Ake; Rodri, Bernardo; Foden, Alvarez, Grealish; Haaland<\/p>\n How can I watch it?<\/strong><\/p>\n It will be shown live on Sky Sports Main Event and Premier League, with coverage getting underway from 3pm. Sky Sports subscribers can also stream the watch live on Sky Go and Now TV.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events then you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN roundup is here to help: get great deals on the <\/em>best VPNs<\/em><\/u> in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are and also with the terms of their service provider.<\/em><\/p>\n When is Manchester United vs Manchester City?<\/strong><\/p>\n The match will kick off at the unusual time of 3:30pm GMT on Sunday 30 October at Old Trafford, Manchester.<\/p>\n Why is the match starting one hour earlier than usual?<\/strong><\/p>\n The standout fixture of the weekend is usually played at 4:30pm on Sunday but according to a Manchester United statement, both clubs agreed to move the fixture to 3:30pm.<\/p>\n \u201cThe unusual start time was agreed following consultation between the clubs, the broadcaster and local authorities,\u201d the statement said.<\/p>\n Due to the change of time, the earlier Premier League fixture between West Ham and Everton, which will also be shown on Sky Sports, has been moved to a 1:00pm kick off.<\/p>\n Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent\u2019s live coverage of Manchester United vs Manchester City in the Premier League, in the first Manchester Derby of the season. <\/p>\n Erik ten Hag\u2019s side come into the clash with their bitter rivals having secured vital back-to-back wins on an emotional night at Sheffield United and then against FC Copenhagen, as Harry Maguire and Andre Onana\u2019s heroics on Tuesday night kept their Champions League hopes alive.<\/p>\n But United now face a significant step up in opposition as they host Pep Guardiola\u2019s treble winners at an \u201cunusual kick-off time\u201d. It is the first meeting of the sides since City beat United to win last season\u2019s FA Cup final at Wembley.<\/p>\n United beat City at Old Trafford last season after a dramatic comeback, and Guardiola\u2019s side will be out for revengeas they look to close the gap to Tottenham and Arsenal in the Premier League table.<\/p>\n<\/p>\nErik ten Hag has abandoned his ideals \u2013 and it might help United beat City<\/h3>\n
Manchester United vs Man City: Latest Premier League updates<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nAndre Onana defends Man Utd teammate Alejandro Garnacho over gorilla emoji post<\/h3>\n
Manchester United vs Man City: Latest Premier League updates<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nManchester United vs Man City: Latest Premier League updates<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nManchester United vs Man City: Latest Premier League updates<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2023\/10\/27\/15\/GettyImages-1456385732.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWhy is Manchester United vs Man City kicking off at an \u2018unusual\u2019 time? <\/h3>\n
Manchester United vs Man City: Latest Premier League updates<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nManchester United vs Manchester City tips: Betting preview with predictions & best odds<\/h3>\n
Manchester United vs Man City: Early Premier League team news<\/h3>\n
Manchester United vs Man City: Latest Premier League updates<\/h3>\n
Manchester United vs Man City: Latest Premier League updates<\/h3>\n
Manchester United vs Man City: Latest Premier League updates<\/h3>\n