WHO: Manchester United and Manchester City
What: Premier League
Where: Old Trafford, Manchester, UK
when: Sunday at 4.30 pm (15:30 GMT)

follow Al Jazaera SportLive text and photo comment stream.

Manchester Derby has been a clash of champions over the past few years, or at least a Champions League qualifier.

This season, Manchester United is fighting for pride, and Manchester City’s defense of the Premier League championship has ended.

The top four should be Manchester City games, but for fans of both teams, bragging rights are a priority for one of the world’s great cross-city competitions.

Al Jazeera took a closer look as the team competed for Manchester red or blue.

Where is Man UTD in their latest rebuild?

United may win the Premier League title in three years, but manager Ruben Amorim said on Friday that the club may not be a champion contender in the coming years unless a major change is made.

United are finishing the game with the worst Premier League, with the club ranked 13th after 30 games, and Amorim’s mission has not become easier, and Derby’s vs. City won’t be easier.

In this horrible game, the club’s ownership announced a plan to bring the title back to three years to celebrate Manchester United’s 150th anniversary, but Amorim said a lot of work would need to be put into the team to become a true contender.

“I understand, and I’m not naive. I don’t want to think we need many years to compete. I can’t think…I know we won’t be the biggest competitors in the next two or two years,” Amorim told reporters.

“We are doing a lot of things. Sometimes, we change the players because they have to learn how to adapt to our new standards… We have changed a lot of staff; we have changed things inside the club.

“I know it will take time. I won’t say we need many years… Next year is our goal. I’m not saying we’re going to win the championship next year, I’m not crazy. We’re in a hurry, and we’re suffering a lot next year.”

Amorim said the club needs to bring “one or two big players”, but the Portuguese knows that in today’s era, with the patience of fans and club owners, time will not be around him.

He added: “The Premier League is so different. When everyone says (formerly co-manager) Sir Alex Ferguson has spent three to four years winning something, it’s impossible now.”

“The pressure is completely different…we need to be with the best team regardless of the background. We will have to face a lot of adversity and big teams, not the past.”

What are the fractions in the reverse fixture?

Manchester United won 2-1 in December at Etihad Stadium.

Josko Gvardiol appeared to have won the Manchester City game until two minutes later, with Bruno Fernandes’ 88th minute free throw.

This is what Amorim thinks is shocking victory early in his Manchester United tenure.

“I don’t think a victory is a special moment. A special moment is competitiveness and winning the championship. Even in the third division, you can beat the best team in the country.”

“We want to improve (our position) at the league table, especially as we want to win the game. We will be totally focused on this game.”

What was Manchester City’s reaction to De Bryan’s departure?

City manager Pep Guardiola praised Kevin de Bruyne for being one of the greatest midfielders in the Premier League as the Belgian announced on Friday that he would leave the club at the end of the season after a decade at the Etihad Stadium.

The 33-year-old De Bruyne has canceled 16 trophys since joining City from German side VFL Wolfsburg in 2015 – which includes 6 Premier League champions and Champions League runs in 2023.

De Bruyne played 413 games for City, scoring 106 goals and providing 174 assists, including 118 in the Premier League, second in second, behind Ryan Giggs (162).

“This is one of the greatest midfielders in the country’s history, and I think at Manchester City, there is no doubt.”

“The greatest/not the greatest, always have to be careful, players who have played on Maine Road (the former stadium at Manchester City), for the past 20-30 years, at this club (and so).

“But, no doubt, he is certainly one of the greatest people because he is consistent in important games, not important games, and is there every three days. There is no doubt.”

The Spaniard added that although Friday’s news still brought bittersweet feelings, he knew about de Bruin’s departure a few days ago.

“A sad day. A happy day for me (I) living with him personally. He gave us all the humility and because of his influence in the success of the past decade, it would be impossible to imagine without him.”

Kevin de Bruyne will leave the Human City at the end of the season and have one of the most typical Premier League careers. pic.twitter.com/a4dz9zbnyk

– Premier League (@premierleague) April 4, 2025

What does Guardiola think of de bruyne’s legacy?

When asked whether De Bruyne should get the statue at the stadium like other big clubs like Sergio Aguero and Vincent Kopany, the coach said De Bruyne should certainly get it. “I’ll bet a lot of money will happen,” Guardiola said.

De Bruyne has made 20 league games this season after an injury and fitness struggle in September.

After a tough city campaign, they played the FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest on April 26, the match gave De Bruen the opportunity to add more silverware to his trophy cabinet.

Manchester City will also be held at the 32-team club World Cup in the United States from June 14 to July 13.

Asked if De Bruyne would be on display at the Club World Cup, Guardiola said: “I don’t know. He has to make a decision. The Club World Cup is new with the contract… The club has to talk to him or he has to say what he wants to do.

“The first three games lasted until June 30, but after that, if we go through it, I don’t know…hopefully he can continue playing football in another place – it depends on the contract and the risks ahead.”

Head to head

This is Manchester United’s 174th Manchester derby, which won 68 and 56 in the city.

Man UTD Team News

Two months after a calf injury, Kobbie Mainoo can return to the United midfielder.

Matthijs de Ligt knocked on the Nottingham Forest, which was a question.

Aiden Paradise, Joni Evans, Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw are definitely not in the game.

Manchester City News

Manchester City will have no striker Erling Haaland. Norway played twice on his last visit to Old Trafford, but an ankle injury will keep him away from the end of the season.

Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake, Rodri and John Stones are still in the spotlight.