How Manchester United Can Beat City

The 2018/19 season has been a testing affair for Manchester United as the Red Devils haven't hit their straps yet and coming off their biggest result with a win over Juventus on Wednesday, they have the chance to exceed that result with a win over champions Manchester City in Sunday's momentous Manchester derby.

Rightfully United go into the match as underdogs, but aren't without a puncher's chance as they draw on last season's win at the Etihad coming back from two goals down to had City their only home league defeat of the season.

To beat City will be no easy feat as United need to have a well worked out game plan to take advantage of whatever little chinks they can find in City's armour.

City have been showing the type of form that saw them race away with the league title from their neighbours, and right now it may be fortunate for United that they face them now before the Cityzens build up a head of steam.

The champions have steamrolled their opponents in recent matches, but what's worth considering is that their biggest winning margins came against sides who mostly went out to weather the storm or limit the amount of damage City would inflict on them.

United, despite their unconvincing performances, have what it takes to not only to contain City but also have the tools to cause damage to the Champions when given the opportunity.

This is what Sky Sport pundit Paul Merson believes will be key for Jose Mourinho's charges to pull off yet another stunning upset.

“City will give Manchester United chances - Southampton could have conceded 10 but they had chances,” Merson told Sky Sports. “A better team would have scored three or four goals. But City beat teams easily who just sit there and defend so United have to be brave"

In their last Premier League clash City may have won 6-1 against Southampton, but there was a period where City got a little complacent which led to a few chances for Southampton to get a goal at 3-0.

Eventually the Saints got a goal from the penalty spot as City let their foot off the pedal for little bit.

If that happens on Sunday United will definitely be ready to take advantage of any lapses of concentration.

“United have to play with a lot of pace in attack. I would play Romelu Lukaku with Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford on the wings.

“I would tell those two to stay high up and not track back in order to put pressure on Benjamin Mendy and Kyle Walker. If you allow the City full-backs the licence to get forward, then you are in for a long day."

As good as City are when in possession of the ball, United can find joy in testing their defensive capabilities as the champions can be prone to mistakes in defence as we saw from their losses from last season.

“City have got to defend better than they did in the second half of last year's game but they are capable of scoring three goals in 10 minutes - they are that good.”