Manchester United vs Manchester City predictions: Carrick could prove a point in Manchester derby

Man Utd vs Man City kick-off, date & TV info 

Date Saturday, January 17
Kick-off 12.30pm
Venue Old Trafford, Manchester
Competition Premier League
TV Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event

Manchester United host Manchester City in the Premier League on Saturday as interim manager Michael Carrick takes charge of the Red Devils for the first time.

United welcome back Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo from the Africa Cup of Nations but City, who have drawn their last three league matches, are clear favourites for victory at Old Trafford. 

Man Utd vs Man City betting tips & predictions

Best bet

Draw
2pts 29-10 Hills

Best player bet

Tijjani Reijnders to score at any time
17-4 Coral, Ladbrokes

Longshot

Manchester City-draw double result
14-1 bet365

Man Utd vs Man City preview 

Manchester United will be led by their third different manager in three home fixtures when they host Manchester City in a compelling Premier League derby.

The bar has been set pretty low for new boss Michael Carrick. Ruben Amorim's final result at Old Trafford was a 1-1 draw with bottom club Wolves and Darren Fletcher oversaw last weekend's FA Cup exit against Brighton.

Gary Neville, never short of an opinion about his former club, declared that Carrick should not keep the job beyond the end of the season "even if he wins every single game".

United fans probably don't need to worry about that scenario as their side have won just 19 of their 59 league matches since the start of 2024-25 and are odds-on for a derby defeat on Saturday.

Will there be a 'new-manager bounce' at Old Trafford? Again, it looks unlikely given that the club has had 12 managerial changes, including interim bosses, in just over a dozen years since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement.

But there are reasons to believe that Carrick – United's caretaker manager for three matches at the end of 2021 – could claim a creditable draw against City.

Both clubs have drawn their last three league games and Pep Guardiola's men had a tough midweek assignment at Newcastle in the EFL Cup semi-final first leg.

That 2-0 win at St James' Park was an impressive result but they have won only once in the league since Christmas – a hard-fought 2-1 victory at Nottingham Forest.

The Citizens' 3-0 home win over United in September ended a lean derby run for the blue half of Manchester. They took just one point off United last season, having suffered a shock 2-1 defeat in the 2024 FA Cup final.

City's defensive injuries and the return to action of some key United attackers should narrow the gap between the rivals so the draw appeals at Old Trafford.

Manchester derby Bet Builder tips: Don't miss James Milton's 7-1 treble   

Reijnders ready to rock United rearguard

Erling Haaland and Phil Foden have often been the scourge of United's defence but Tijjani Reijnders is a tempting bet to score at any time at Old Trafford.

The midfielder should return to City's starting line-up after coming off the bench at Newcastle and he has notched in four of his last six outings, including league goals against West Ham, Nottingham Forest and Chelsea.  

Fast-starting City could be vulnerable late on 

City were pegged back by Chelsea after Reijnders' classy opener just before half-time and it was a similar story in their 1-1 draw at home to Brighton.

They have conceded only six first-half goals in 21 league games but United came from behind to win 2-1 at the Etihad last term and the City-draw double result is worth chancing at juicy odds. 

Key stats for Man Utd vs Man City

♦ Seven of Manchester United's last 12 Premier League matches ended in draws
♦ Both teams have scored in 16 of United's last 20 league games
♦ Manchester City have conceded only one first-half goal in their last 11 league matches
♦ Four of City's last seven league victories were by a 3-0 scoreline
♦ City have drawn their last three league games

Man Utd vs Man City betting odds

Sign up with Paddy Power to bet on Man Utd vs Man City in the Premier League. Here are the latest odds for Saturday's match.

Odds correct at time of publishing

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Man Utd vs Man City team news and predicted line-ups

Man Utd

Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo have returned from the Africa Cup of Nations but Morocco's Noussair Mazraoui is still at the tournament. Matthijs de Ligt (back) is injured and Shea Lacey is suspended after his red card in the FA Cup defeat to Brighton.

Predicted line-up (4-2-3-1): Lammens; Dalot, Yoro, Martinez, Dorgu; Mainoo, Casemiro; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Cunha; Sesko
Subs: Maguire, Ugarte, Shaw, Diallo, Zirkzee, Mount, Heaven

Man City

Defenders Josko Gvardiol, Ruben Dias and John Stones remain sidelined along with Savinho, Oscar Bobb and Mateo Kovacic. Nico Gonzalez is a doubt and Omar Marmoush is at Afcon.

Predicted line-up (4-1-4-1): Donnarumma; Nunes, Khusanov, Ake, O’Reilly; Rodri; Cherki, Foden, Reijnders, Semenyo; Haaland
Subs: Silva, Lewis, Alleyne, Doku, Ait-Nouri, Mukasa, Gonzalez

Read more:

Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal predictions: Gunners can grind out another win 

Premier League accumulator tips for Saturday January 17: Back our acca at 14-1 with bet365 

Premier League predictions, football betting tips and free bets for Saturday's 3pm kick-offs 

Manchester United vs Manchester City: 50-1 on a goal to be scored with Betfair  

FAQs for Man Utd vs Man City

When is Man Utd vs Man City in the Premier League?

Man Utd vs Man City takes place on Saturday January 17 and kicks-off at 12.30pm GMT.

Where is Man Utd vs Man City being played?

The venue for the game is Old Trafford in Manchester.

Where can I watch Man Utd vs Man City?

Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event are showing the game live in the UK.

What is the match betting for Man Utd vs Man City?

Man Utd are 13-5 to win, Man City are a 10-11 chance, with the draw 11-4 (Paddy Power).

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