New era

By Chris
September 21 2013

Manchester United’s tough start to the new Premier League campaign continues on Sunday afternoon with a hotly-anticipated derby clash against City. Both teams enter the game having won two and drawn one of their opening four league matches.

Should Arsenal and Spurs fail to win their respective encounters, United could go top of the Premier League with victory at Eastlands.

However, a typically tough task awaits as title hopefuls City – who have not conceded a goal in three matches – look to build on a comfortable mid-week Champions League victory over Viktoria Plzen.

Much has changed since the last meeting between the two sides, a 2-1 win for City at Old Trafford in April. The Red Devils prepare for their first Manchester derby without Sir Alex Ferguson at the helm since the mid-1980s, whilst Manuel Pellegrini is now in charge for the Citizens.

David Moyes could be without Phil Jones, Rafael and Danny Welbeck – though all three players are thought to be nearing a return to fitness. Meanwhile, the Scotsman must decide whether Shinji Kagawa retains his place further to his first appearance of the season against Leverkusen.

The hosts could be boosted by the return of playmaker David Silva, though question marks remain over whether Micah Richards will be fit enough to start the game.