Manchester City vs Manchester United
Premier League
Sunday
3rd March 2024
Etihad Stadium
The most comprehensive preview, detailed analysis and reliable predictions of the Premier League fixture between Manchester City and Manchester United.
Manchester City vs Manchester United: Preview
Manchester City form analysis
After giving Manchester City a test before falling 1-3 at home to start this recent Premier League run on February 6th, Brentford found strong winning form in their next match on the 10th – an impressive 0-2 victory away at Wolves courtesy of goals from C. Nørgaard and I. Toney. However, their defense was shredded in a 1-4 home loss to high-flying Liverpool on the 17th, unable to slow the Reds’ prolific attack. Brentford tightened up in their next match defensively but lacked ideas up front, falling 0-1 at Manchester City four days later on the 21st.
Most recently on February 27th, defensive issues returned in an entertaining high scoring 4-2 loss away at West Ham. Overall, Brentford’s play has been inconsistent recently, balancing organized, solid performances with utterly bereft ones conceding flurries of goals. Greater consistency and tighter defending for 90 minutes will be vital if the midtable Bees hope to finish their impressive season by qualifying for Europe. The talent is apparent when clicking, but keeping clean sheets remains a major point of emphasis moving forward.
Manchester United form analysis
Manchester United have found strong form recently. They opened this stretch by outlasting Wolves in a seven goal thriller, winning 4-3 away on February 2nd powered by a R. Højlund brace. Tighter defending subsequently followed in a controlled 3-0 home win over West Ham on the 4th. However, resilience was now the theme as United needed another late winner from S. McTominay edged Aston Villa 2-1 on the road after conceding an equalizer.
That spirit continued in United’s next match, grinding past Luton Town 1-2 on February 18th behind another early R. Højlund brace before holding on after an early second half reply. Most recently against Fulham, United conceded late to draw level before the visitors snatched an added time winner for a dramatic 1-2 result on February 24th. Overall, United have scored timely goals and defended stoutly for the most part during this impressive unbeaten run. Maintaining maximum focus and late match resolve could carry this momentum towards a push for a top four return. Winning while still building chemistry bodes quite well for Erik ten Hag’s project.
