Manchester City vs Manchester United tips: Haaland in waiting; United eyeing more Etihad joy

Seb Sternik
30 September 2022

A wink from match winner Erling Haaland of Manchester City

A rejuvenated Manchester United outfit will be looking to avoid a third straight derby defeat when they travel to the Etihad Stadium (Sunday, 2pm). Check out our key stats and suggested bets.

Manager Erik ten Hag endured a nightmare start to his Old Trafford reign after losing his first two games - including a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Brentford.

However, the Dutchman has orchestrated a remarkable return to form which has seen the Red Devils win four straight Premier League games.

Winning a fifth will undoubtedly prove a challenging task as United travel away to the home of the defending champions.

Manchester City are one of two unbeaten teams left in the Premier League and currently boast the best attack having scored 23 goals in seven games. Compared to United's measly eight league goals, those are astronomical numbers.

However, it's not just Pep Guardiola's attack which makes for scary reading - the defence has also proved difficult to crack. City have conceded six league goals this season, with Brighton being the only team in the competition boasting a better defensive record.

City will also take pride in their recent head-to-head record against their local rivals.

They completed the season double over United last term, and have won three of their last four meetings.

Despite this, the Etihad hasn't always proved to be a fortress for the defending champions. In fact, United have won three of their last four visits to the ground - a stat which will undoubtedly give Ten Hag's men plenty of encouragement.

Apart from their capitulation against Brentford, United have won their last three away games, scoring four goals and conceding none along the way.

On the other hand, City's home run of late has been somewhat impervious. Guardiola's men have won all of their last nine games on home turf - beating the likes of Real Madrid, Newcastle United and Borussia Dortmund in the process.

The last team to deny City a home victory was Liverpool who held the champions to a 2-2 draw last April.

Meanwhile, the last team to beat Guardiola's side at The Etihad was Tottenham back in February.

If United are to do the same, keeping things tight at the back will be pivotal. That, however, could prove easier said than done considering City's frontman Erling Haaland has already bagged 11 goals this season.