There hasn't been a better opportunity in recent years for Manchester United to claim a victory over Manchester City then the one coming up on Sunday.
The crosstown rivals will face off for the 195th edition of the Manchester derby with neither side able to boast about their recent form.
While United's rebuild continues with the Red Devils in 13th place in the Premier League and losers of their last two league matches, City's fall has been much sharper as the Sky Blues only have one win in their last ten games across all competitions and they appear to be in a full-on crisis.
With City scrambling to make sense of their poor run of matches, now might be the time for United to regain the upper hand on their longtime foe.
Manchester City vs. Manchester United: Head-to-head and recent statistics
- All-time meetings: 194
- Manchester City wins: 62
- Draws: 53
- Manchester United wins: 79
United hold the advtange in all-time meetings, with 79 wins in 194 matches.
However, recent years have seen City turn the tables on their crosstown rivals, winning five of the last six Premier League matches between the Manchester sides.
Manchester City vs. Manchester United: Team news
Manchester City
- Injured: Akanji, Stones, Ake, Rodri, Bobb, Foden
- Suspended: Lewis
Manchester United
- Injured: Shaw
- Suspended: None
Manchester City vs. Manchester United: What the managers are saying
Pep Guardiola, Manchester City
(via ManCity.com)
“The soul and spirit of this team is there. I’m sad for the players because of the way they run and fight in the circumstances.
“And, of course, our fans maybe they’re sad [right now]. I understand it - we’re not used to it.
“I know and completely understand our fans may be sad. This group of players have made an era and done things no-one else has done.
“Broken records. I just call the supporters to be there until the end.
“This group of players, they will support them to the end because they deserve it."
Ruben Amorim, Manchester United
(via ManUtd.com)
"The great teams can respond at any moment. And I think they are in a better place than us in the type of understanding the game, the way they play, the confidence they have.
"Even in these kind of moments, we have a lot to focus on our team. So our focus is total of course, we will have a strategy: try to win the game with the strategy like it should be. But we are focused just on our team."
Manchester City vs. Manchester United: Prediction
As mentioned, neither side is playing particularly well at the moment.
However, City's crisis of confidence seems to be all-encompassing, and if the Red Devils are ever going to earn another victory over the rivals it's going to be now.
Prediction: Manchester City 0-2 Manchester United