Here’s how Manchester City and Manchester United could prepare for the upcoming Manchester Derby, despite both teams struggling with form:
Manchester City
- Returning to Fundamentals: Pep Guardiola may emphasize restoring the team’s identity through precise passing and fluid movement.
- Reviving Key Players: Focus on getting important players like Haaland and Grealish back to their best.
- Mental Focus: Aiming to stay composed and focused amid recent challenges.
- Analyzing the Opposition: Identifying Manchester United’s vulnerabilities to exploit during the match.
Manchester United
- Strengthening Defense: With inconsistent form, Erik ten Hag might prioritize a strong defensive setup to prevent early goals.
- Counter-Attack Strategy: Using the pace of players like Rashford to exploit City’s high defensive line.
- Team Cohesion: Holding meetings and motivational talks to instill a sense of unity and resilience.
- Maximizing Set-Pieces: Ensuring all dead-ball opportunities are taken advantage of.
Both teams are likely to rely on grit and determination to overcome their current form struggles, adding an unpredictable element to this derby.