The Manchester derby takes centre stage in the Premier League this weekend, with Michael Carrick returning to the United dugout as interim boss.
Michael Carrick’s interim period as Manchester United manager begins in the highest-profile way imaginable on Saturday as the former Red Devils midfielder takes to the Old Trafford dugout for the Manchester derby, hoping to get his reign off on a positive footing.
But Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola will be targeting a crucial three points as he looks to keep his side’s Premier League title hopes alive, with the Citizens heading into gameweek 22 six points adrift of league leaders Arsenal. Here are our football betting selections for the game.
Manchester United v Manchester City Bet Builder
- Manchester United or draw double chance @ 5/6
- Benjamin Sesko to score anytime @ 11/5
- Antoine Semenyo to score anytime @ 7/4
- Matheus Cunha to have 3+ shots @ 19/20
- Tijjani Reijnders to have 1+ shot on target @ 4/7
Pays out at 33/1
Carrick to start in style at Old Trafford
Carrick may have been thrown in at the deep end as he looks to salvage Manchester United’s season, but the Red Devils have a strong record against their cross-city rivals in recent years and that could come into play on Saturday.
United have lost just one of their last five Manchester derbies and, despite their poor campaign, they have only lost two of their last 10 games and two of their10 Premier League home matches.
Manchester City have drawn their last three Premier League fixtures and more dropped points could be in store for them at Old Trafford.
Leg 1: Manchester United or draw double chance @ 5/6
Sesko and Semenyo to star
While there has not been much to celebrate for Manchester United fans recently, Benjamin Sesko’s improved form is a silver lining to the dark cloud hanging over Old Trafford.
The Slovenia international scored a brace against Burnley in his last league outing and added another against Brighton at the weekend, so he could make the difference on Saturday.
Another player showing excellent form is Manchester City’s new signing Antoine Semenyo, who put in a man-of-the-match performance on his debut against Exeter City.
The 26-year-old then scored again in midweek to make it six goals in his last eight appearances for Manchester City and Bournemouth, including one in the Cherries’ 4-4 draw at Old Trafford in December.
Leg 2: Benjamin Sesko to score anytime @ 11/5
Leg 3: Antoine Semenyo to score anytime @ 7/4
Cunha and Reijnders can trouble defences
Sesko and Semenyo are far from the only threats present in these teams and Matheus Cunha looks like another potential contributor for the hosts.
The Brazilian has registered a club-high 67 shots this season, averaging 3.90 shots per 90 minutes across all competitions. He hit three against Brighton last weekend and has had three or more shots in eight of his last nine appearances, totalling a mammoth 39 shots on goal in that period.
For the visitors, only Erling Haaland and Phil Foden have had more shots than summer-signing Tijjani Reijnders, who also has 19 shots on target to his name.
Reijnders has tested the opposition goalkeeper at least once in six of his last eight starts for the Citizens and had one shot on target from three attempts in the reverse fixture in September.
Leg 4: Matheus Cunha to have 3+ shots @ 19/20
Leg 5: Tijjani Reijnders to have 1+ shot on target @ 4/7
