Manchester United vs Manchester City Preview, Prediction & Betting Odds (GW22)
A Manchester Derby highlights Premier League Gameweek 22 as Manchester United and Manchester City go toe-to-toe at Old Trafford.
Following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim, Manchester United's interim manager Michael Carrick will take his first fixture in charge. The Red Devils sit in seventh place on 32 points, just one point adrift of the European places, while Manchester City are second in the table on 43 points, six points off of the pace of league-leaders Arsenal.
This preview covers predicted lineups, injury news, head-to-head history, betting odds and a score prediction for Saturday's Manchester United vs. Manchester City match.
Premier League Player News & Updates
When & Where to Watch (USA/UK)
Saturday, January 17 at 7:30 a.m. ET/12:30 p.m. local
US schedule (English)
- TV Channel: NBC, USA Network
- Live Stream: Peacock
UK schedule
- TV Channel: Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Sports Ultra HD.
- Live Stream: Sky Go app, NOW TV.
Manchester United vs. Manchester City Head-to-Head Record
Manchester City and Manchester United have met on 197 occasions, dating back to 1891 when City, then known as Ardwick, fell 5-1 in an FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round fixture.
Over their last 10 Premier League matchups, City have edged United, winning six times and drawing thrice.
The Red Devils lead the all-time series narrowly, winning 80 times and drawing on 54 occasions.
Fixture Trivia
Question: As a Manchester United player, how many career goals did Wayne Rooney score versus Manchester City?
Gameweek 21 Trivia: Which Liverpool manager led the club to a UEFA Champions League Quarterfinal victory over Arsenal during the 2007/08 campaign?
Rafa Benitez
Betting Odds and Predictions for Manchester United vs Manchester City
Premier League Odds Comparisons
Moneyline Odds
DraftKings: MUN +245 Draw +285, MCI +100
FanDuel: MUN +260 Draw +270, MCI +100
BetMGM: MUN +250 Draw +280, MCI -105
Bet365: MUN +260 Draw +280, MCI -106
Visit RotoWire all season for exclusive sports betting picks and our weekly Premier League betting show. Remember that betting apps vary in terms of odds, so we have an easy-to-use odds page that allows you to shop for the best lines at DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM and PointsBet. Claim over a thousand dollars in bonuses by signing up at the best sports betting sites using the best sportsbook promos.
RECENT FORM
Manchester United (LDDDW) were eliminated from the FA Cup via a defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion in their most recent fixture. Prior to the defeat, the Red Devils were unbeaten in four successive fixtures (three wins, one draw).
Manchester City (WWDDD) drew their previous three Premier League fixtures before trouncing Exeter City 10-1 in the FA Cup Third Round and outlasting Newcastle United 2-0 in the First Leg of the Carabao Cup Semifinals.
FORMATIONS
Manchester United will likely take a new shape under caretaker manager Carrick. During his time as the Middlesborough manager, Carrick most often deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation. Look for United to opt for solidity in their double-pivot while allowing Bruno Fernandes to play in the pocket as a traditional No. 10.
Manchester City are most likely to line up in a 4-3-3 or 4-5-1 shape. When City control possession, look for Guardiola's tactical nuances to take shape as a full-back will move into the midfield, allowing the likes of Bernardo Silva or Phil Foden to take-up a position further up the pitch.
CONFIRMED LINEUP NOTES & INJURY NEWS
Premier League Predicted & Confirmed Lineups
Manchester United Injury News & Lineup Notes
Michael Carrick assumes the role of manager with the squad in relative health.
Matthijs De Ligt (back) has missed eight successive league fixtures after playing the full 90 minutes in each of United's first 13 league matches. Anticipating the shift in the Red Devils' formation, Leny Yoro or Ayden Heaven are likely to pair with Lisandro Martinez in central defense.
Fellow defender Noussair Mazraoui remains unavailable as he is set to represent Morocco in the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) Final.
Teenager Shae Lacey (suspension) will be unavailable after receiving a red card in Manchester United's most recent defeat versus Brighton & Hove Albion.
Manchester City Injury News & Lineup Notes
Pep Guardiola is nursing injuries and absences throughout his roster ahead of Saturday's clash with Manchester United.
In defense, John Stones (thigh) is set to miss his eighth successive league fixture. Fellow defenders Ruben Dias (hamstring) and Josko Gvardiol (fracture) have also been ruled out for the foreseeable future. With the Noisy Neighbors thin at the back, look for Abdukodir Khusanov to feature alongside recently recalled Max Alleyne in central defense with Nathan Ake also an option.
In the midfield, Nico Gonzalez (calf) was forced off at halftime of City's 0-0 draw at Sunderland and should be a game-time decision Saturday. Regardless of Gonzalez's status, expect former Ballon d'Or winner Rodri to facilitate proceedings as he plays the role of chess grandmaster from his perch in the holding midfield.
Mateo Kovacic (Achilles) remains a long-term absence with timelines suggesting a potential March 2026 return.
In attack, Savinho (undisclosed) was forced off with an injury after 51 minutes of play versus Sunderland and could miss up to two months, according to Jack Gaughan of the Daily Mail. Hybrid forward/midfielder Oscar Bobb (hamstring) has yet to resume training and has not featured for City since late November 2025.
Omar Marmoush will remain out with Egypt set to play in the AFCON third-place game Saturday.
KEY MATCHUPS
Manuel Ugarte & Casemiro versus Phil Foden & Rayan Cherki
Expect Carrick to deploy a defense-solidifying double-pivot ahead of his backline Saturday. The duo of Ugarte and Casemiro offers a true holding profile, with neither likely to be mistaken for an out-and-out attacker. Anticipate United to sit behind the ball when defending and aim to control possession via their midfield duo once possession is gained.
Conversely, City are likely to undertake a more front-footed approach as Foden and Cherki press forward to propel the City attack. As City commit more bodies forward into their attack, look for Foden and Cherki to interchange positionally with wide-midfielders Antoine Semenyo and Bernardo Silva.
Bruno Fernandes versus Rodri
Manchester United's post-Reuben Amorim era is likely to see the return of Fernandes to his customary position in the No. 10 role as he supports striker Benjamin Sesko. Under Amorim, the attacking midfielder had, at times, been asked to play in a central-attacking-midfield pairing and to increase his defensive work rate. With a return to familiar surroundings, I back Fernandes for a key Derby performance.
Rodri is widely regarded as one of the top holding-midfielders in world football. The veteran's accurate positioning allows Guardiola to deploy a more attacking starting XI without the need to rely upon a double-pivot.
Look for Guardiola to smother Fernandes's space with Rodri's defensive positioning, while Carrick will look to devise a tactic by which Fernandes is stationed around the edge of the area with Rodri otherwise occupied.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Erling Haaland leads the Premier League with 20 goals scored through 21 appearances (21 starts). However, the Norwegian has scored just once from 19 shots (seven on goal) across his last five appearances (five starts) in all competitions.
With Haaland set to tussle with the diminutive Martinez and the lightly-experienced Yoro or Heaven, I back the league's top goalscorer to unite his qualities of strength and guile to create multiple chances at the goalmouth with his head and feet en route to scoring his 21st goal of the campaign.
RESULT
Manchester United 1 - Manchester City 2
UPCOMING FIXTURES
Manchester United: Jan. 25 at Arsenal
Manchester City: Jan. 24 vs Wolverhampton
