Ruben Amorim will face off against Pep Guardiola for the sixth time in his career during Sunday’s Manchester derby.
Manchester United have had a mixed start to the season, with one win, one draw and one defeat leaving the Red Devils ninth in the Premier League table.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 5 |  EvertonEverton |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 6 |
| 6 |  SunderlandSunderland |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 6 |
| 7 |  BournemouthBournemouth |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 6 |
| 8 |  Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace |
3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 5 |
| 9 |  Manchester UnitedManchester United |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| 10 |  Nottingham ForestNottingham Forest |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | -1 | 4 |
| 11 |  BrightonBrighton |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -1 | 4 |
| 12 |  LeedsLeeds |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | -4 | 4 |
| 13 |  Manchester CityManchester City |
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 3 |
While some may consider the points tally underwhelming after three games, United do sit above fierce rivals Manchester City – who have suffered two defeats and are slumped in 13th.
Ruben Amorim has been under immense pressure at the start of this season after leading United to a record-breaking 15th-place finish in 2024/25. A win against United’s bitter rivals will certainly help to rewrite the narrative.
Pep Guardiola has praised Amorim during his first few months in charge, and the two Manchester chiefs will go head-to-head on Sunday afternoon.
What is Ruben Amorim’s record against Pep Guardiola?
Just weeks before heading to Manchester, Amorim destroyed Guardiola’s City while in charge of Sporting Lisbon with a 4-1 win in the Champions League.
After taking charge at Old Trafford, Ruben Amorim remains unbeaten against Pep Guardiola with one win and one draw in the 2024/25 season.
United beat City 2-1 at the Etihad with Amad Diallo scoring a dramatic winner in the final minute to steal all three points.
The most recent meeting saw United draw 0-0 with City at Old Trafford, and it means that Amorim boasts a very impressive record against his opponent on Sunday.
| Matches played | Wins | Draws | Losses | Goals scored | Goals conceded |
| 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 7 |
Despite his team conceding more than they have scored against Guardiola teams, Amorim has only lost once in his five meetings against the City boss.
Ruben Amorim can be confident ahead of Manchester derby
Amorim might be under huge pressure at United, but he has an opportunity to make a statement against City on the weekend.
Statistics prove that United have been one of the best-performing sides in the league so far this season, but they haven’t got the rewards they deserve in terms of goals.
It is a great time to play City considering they have suffered a poor start to the season, and a recent injury to Omar Marmoush means Guardiola’s options are limited.
Matheus Cunha could return for the derby after suffering an injury against Burnley, and that would be a huge boost for the Red Devils.
United’s best performance of the season came against a ‘Big Six’ opponent in the shape of Arsenal, and Amorim will be hoping for a similar display at the Etihad Stadium with one slight difference – goals.
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/uXkPFop