A city divided.
City faltering, United rising. That has been the tale of Manchester in recent weeks and it makes for an excellent sub plot for this afternoon’s derby.
The Red Devils are above City in the table for the first time this season after last weekend’s set of games and they’ll be aiming to stay there. United have gained 11 more points than this time last year, so Louis Van Gaal can point to a clear and steady improvement.
Meanwhile, City have 9 fewer and not many would argue that Manuel Pellegrini is fighting for his job today at Old Trafford. City have lost their last three away games and thus watched their championship hopes evaporate to dust.
United, on the other hand have only lost two of their last 22 league games and although their hopes of lifting the Premier League trophy are over, they can still point to this season as a success.
We fancy them to extend their excellent form today and stop City from recording five successive league victories against them.
United have claimed 40 points at home this season. That’s better than any other side in the league.
We reckon they’ll make it 43 today, with the only goal of the game to come from Wayne Rooney. This is priced at 45/1.
