Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Manchester City, Manchester United
Josh Lawless
Manchester City have made a rare decision in a bid to get the atmosphere going for the huge derby clash with Manchester United.
The two sides play out the 197th Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, with a 16:30 kick-off.
United are above City in the league after three games, with Pep Guardiola's men suffering back-to-back defeats to Spurs and Brighton following a 4-0 win over Wolves.
Advert
City desperately need to get back to winning ways and get their season up and running and have the perfect opportunity to do so against their bitter rivals.
And prior to the fixture, it's emerged that City are changing things up in order to spice up the atmosphere.
The 1984 supporters' group, who regularly work with the club, have confirmed the PA system will be turned off minutes before the teams come out of the tunnel to create a different kind of atmosphere.
On X, the group wrote: "Club have agreed to turn the PA off for a couple of minutes before the teams come out on Sunday so the fans can create their own atmosphere. We’d encourage people to take seats in good time!".
Advert
City have done similar previously for big games, stopping all music and making way for supporters to sing, chant and give their neighbours an intimidating welcome.
In last season's fixture at the Etihad, City led 1-0 through a Josko Gvardiol header going into the final minutes before they threw the game away.
Bruno Fernandes levelled with a penalty in the 88th minute following a moment of madness from Matheus Nunes before Amad Diallo notched a dramatic stoppage time winner.
It had been suggested that City could be without as many as 13 players, with Omar Marmoush joining the injury list after suffering a knee injury on international duty with Egypt.
Advert
That blow followed John Stones pulling out of the England squad due to “minor muscle issues", Nico O'Reilly and Rico Lewis withdrawing from Under 21 duty with the Three Lions - and Rayan Cherki being ruled out for two months with a thigh problem.
However, in a boost for City, the likes of Phil Foden, Savinho, Gvardiol, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Abdukodir Khusanov are poised to return to fitness.
New £26 million goalkeeper signing Gianluigi Donnarumma could be in line to make his City debut after joining from Paris Saint-Germain on transfer deadline day.
United could also have a goalkeeping debut in the derby after effectively replacing Andre Onana with 23-year-old Belgian Senne Lammens.
Advert
The Red Devils are poised to be without Matheus Cunha and Mason Mount for a few weeks after they were forced off in the last-gasp Burnley win.