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Can Man Utd expose frailties in fresh-faced Man City? <\/p>\nRuben Amorim is confident Manchester United will rise to the occasion against a Manchester City side in transition for Sunday’s clash between the local rivals, who are both off to poor Premier League starts. <\/p>\n
Can Man Utd expose frailties in fresh-faced Man City? <\/p>\n
One of Amorim’s only eight wins in 30 league games since taking charge of the Red Devils came at the Etihad last season as two late goals earned a 2-1 victory in December. <\/p>\n
That defeat came amidst a run of one win in 13 games for Pep Guardiola’s men as City collapsed last season after an unprecedented run of four consecutive Premier League titles. <\/p>\n
But hope that a major overhaul of Guardiola’s squad would restore their former glories has so far proved a false dawn. <\/p>\n
After a convincing 4-0 win at Wolves on the opening weekend of the season, City have lost to Tottenham and Brighton. <\/p>\n
For the first time in five years, United head into a derby ahead of their local rivals in the table, albeit only by one point. <\/p>\n
There have been promising signs for Amorim in a dramatic late 3-2 win over Burnley, a 1-1 draw at Fulham and an unfortunate 1-0 defeat to title-chasing Arsenal. <\/p>\n
However, optimism of a fresh start at Old Trafford after finishing 15th last season was sapped by an embarrassing League Cup exit to Grimsby – the first time in the club’s history United had lost to fourth-tier opposition. <\/p>\n
After being backed with a \u00a3200 million overhaul of his forward line, Amorim is under pressure to deliver results quickly. <\/p>\n
But a number of his better results since taking charge in November have come against tougher opposition. <\/p>\n
United held Premier League champions Liverpool 2-2 at Anfield and dumped Arsenal out the FA Cup away from home last season. <\/p>\n
“The small details that sometimes we drop a little bit, not in these games,” said Amorim. <\/p>\n
“I’m more comfortable in these games – but we will be ready against a very, very good team. <\/p>\n
“I think we are a better team . If you see any aspect, the data, we are a different team. We are ready to play the game but we have to show it on Sunday.” <\/p>\n
– ‘So huge’ Donnarumma –<\/p>\n
Across the city, Guardiola is still struggling to mould a team capable of matching the feats of his serial winners from seasons past. <\/p>\n
Ballon d’Or winner Rodri lambasted his side’s “kids mistakes” after blowing the lead to lose at Brighton in their last outing. <\/p>\n
City are experiencing after growing pains after a changing of the guard at the Etihad. <\/p>\n
Five of the starting line-up from their 2023 Champions League final win left the club this summer, including club legend Kevin De Bruyne. <\/p>\n
Over \u00a3300 million has been spent in the past two transfer windows on an array of more youthful talent but with few successes so far. <\/p>\n
The side that started the 2-0 defeat to Tottenham last month was the youngest Guardiola has ever selected in the Premier League at an average age of 24.5. <\/p>\n
It is therefore understandable that Guardiola has turned to the experience of Italian international goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to replace Ederson, despite their vastly different styles. <\/p>\n
The 1.96 metre Donnarumma is a shot-stopping giant but does not possess Ederson’s range of passing from the back. <\/p>\n
“I wouldn’t demand Gigi do something he is uncomfortable with. We are talking about the best I have ever seen with distribution, short and long passes, in Ederson,” said Guardiola. <\/p>\n
“He is so tall, he is so huge. All the keepers that save shots, bring personality to the team and be a big presence, and he has done that in the biggest games.” <\/p>\n
Donnarumma is expected to make his City debut, but United’s new goalkeeper Senne Lammens will have to wait for his bow after Amorim said the much-criticised Altay Bayindir will retain his place. <\/p>\n
kca\/dmc <\/p>\n
Manchester United <\/p>\n
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR <\/p>\n
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