Manchester derby: United face early test against Guardiola-less City

Manchester United face Manchester City in the derby for the first time in 10 years without Pep Guardiola in the visitors’ dugout, but his departure has not yet brought the shift in power many expected.

A victory at Old Trafford would give City an eight-point advantage over United after only four rounds of the Premier League season. Even at this early stage, that would leave Michael Carrick’s side with a substantial deficit to overcome.

City are adapting to life after a decade under Guardiola, while United have continued their search for stability. Carrick became the club’s seventh permanent manager since Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, as United have attempted to return to the level they reached under their former boss.

United last won the Premier League in Ferguson’s final season in charge, and supporters will hope Guardiola’s departure has a similarly significant effect on the balance of power.

City maintain strong start

Guardiola’s exit appeared to remove the most substantial obstacle to United’s hopes of challenging for the title. Although he left without the championship in his final two seasons, his six league titles in seven years demonstrated Manchester City’s dominance for much of his reign.

Replicating that record would be a major challenge for Enzo Maresca, or any successor. However, Maresca has made an outstanding start, with City winning all of their league matches so far and also claiming victory in their opening Champions League game this week.

Erling Haaland has also begun the campaign in impressive form, scoring five goals in his past three appearances.

United’s opening weeks have been far less convincing, despite finishing third last season after a strong improvement under Carrick during the second half of the campaign.

Their opening-day defeat by newly promoted Hull was an immediate setback. United responded by beating another newly promoted side, Ipswich, but then surrendered a lead twice in a 2-2 draw away to Everton.

That inconsistency has been a recurring problem for United since Ferguson’s retirement, and Carrick will need to address it quickly if his side are to remain in contention.

Carrick can draw on positive recent experience in this fixture. His first match after being appointed as Ruben Amorim’s replacement ended in a 2-0 victory over City, in Guardiola’s final Manchester derby.

Protest planned before derby

The match is the weekend’s headline fixture, with United under pressure to get their season moving while Maresca seeks a first major statement victory as City manager.

Before kick-off, the 1958 supporters group plans to protest against the club’s crackdown on ticket touting, which involves reselling tickets at inflated prices.

The group claims “loyal, generational” supporters are being sanctioned or banned “without clear and compelling evidence”. Manchester United says its investigation has “uncovered significant and organised touting”.