A familiar figure against a revolving door
When Pep Guardiola walks into Old Trafford for Saturday’s 198th Manchester derby, he will once again face a different manager in the opposing dugout. Michael Carrick becomes the sixth Manchester United boss Guardiola has come up against since taking charge of City, stepping in as interim head coach following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim. It is Carrick’s first match in charge, another chapter in United’s ongoing search for stability.
Calm blue, chaos red
While upheaval continues to define life across the red half of the city, there is a sense of order and composure at Manchester City. Guardiola’s side arrive looking to complete a league double over their rivals and keep pace in the Premier League title race. For United, the derby offers a chance to salvage pride and local bragging rights in a season that has otherwise unravelled.
Guardiola’s formula for survival
After a rare trophyless campaign last season, City have rediscovered their edge. They are unbeaten in 13 matches and still competing on all four fronts, with Guardiola praising the renewed spirit within his squad. Asked about the key to his long tenure, the City manager was blunt: winning. He acknowledged that patience from the club has played a role, particularly during a difficult three-month spell last season, but ultimately pointed to the extraordinary success of previous years as the real reason he remains in the job.
