As club football finally makes a much-awaited return this weekend, Manchester City could put a smile on their fans’ faces with a win against bitter rivals Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium.
City are largely the favourites going in to this weekend's fixture, with three impressive back-to-back victories against Sevilla and Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, as well as Wolves in the Premier League prior to the international break.
Holding the status of Premier League champions as well, it is tough for most to look past Manchester City getting the all-important three points, despite the threats posed by Manchester United.
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It would certainly be naive to underestimate this United side, who have put together an encouraging four-game winning run in the English top-flight.
Beating the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal on the way, Erik ten Hag has already shown a knack of springing a surprise against the stronger teams in the division this season.
As we await one of English football’s fiercest rivalries to kick off on Sunday afternoon, here are a selection of the more interesting statistics and potential landmarks to take a look at!
Manchester City
- No player has outperformed their xG (expected goals) than Erling Haaland so far in the Premier League, with the Norway international having scored 11 goals from a total xG of 8.27.
- Kevin De Bruyne has created the most big chances out of any Premier League player so far in 2022 (18).
- Ederson has kept the most clean sheets in the Premier League so far this term (4).
- No team in the English top-flight has made more passes than Manchester City (5,077) so far.
- Joao Cancelo has made the most passes out of any full-back in the division (558) so far.
- Kevin De Bruyne has the most assists in the Premier League this calendar year (13) so far.
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Manchester United
- Scott McTominay has made the joint-most fouls in the Premier League (15).
- Raphael Varane has the highest aerial duel win percentage per 90 out of any player at Manchester United with over 300 minutes in the league (4.22).
- Bruno Fernandes has played the second highest through balls out of any player in the division (6).
- Scott McTominay has the most pressures per 90 out of any players at Manchester United with over 300 league minutes (15.6).
- David De Gea has the joint-third punches in the Premier League (3).
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Previous Meetings
- Manchester City and Manchester United have had 187 meetings, with the Blues winning 57 matches, the latter winning 77, and 53 games ending in draws.
- Pep Guardiola has seven wins, five defeats and one draw against Manchester United in 13 matches across all competitions.
- The Sky Blues beat Manchester United 4-1 in the previous game between both sides.
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Potential Landmarks
- Kevin De Bruyne needs one assist to beat Steven Gerrard’s assist tally (92) in the Premier League.
- Kevin De Bruyne could equal David Silva’s assist tally in the Premier League with one assist (93).
- Phil Foden needs two goals to reach 50 goals for his boyhood club.
- Ruben Dias could reach his 100th appearance for Manchester City this weekend.
- Riyad Mahrez is two appearances away from hitting 200 in a Manchester City shirt.
Topics: Manchester City, Manchester United, Premier League, Football
Srinivas Sadhanand