Man Utd vs Man City betting tips and selections – plus 40/1 talkSPORT BET welcome offer

Manchester derbies always bring an intense energy, but this particular one has more than usual riding on it, with interim United manager Michael Carrick bidding to impress the Old Trafford hierarchy.

Carrick has been put in the hotseat at the Theatre of Dreams until the end of the season, as United look for a successor to Ruben Amorim. If Carrick gets results, he may get to keep the job on a permanent basis. Gareth Southgate and Oliver Glasner are also in the running.

City are under pressure to claim three points from their trip to the red side of Manchester. City trail Premier League leaders Arsenal by six points, so have little margin for error. The action kicks off at Old Trafford on Saturday at 12.30pm.

MAN UTD vs MAN CITY – GET 40/1 EITHER SIDE

Man Utd vs Man City betting tips

• Antoine Semenyo to score @ 15/8
• Over 3.5 goals @ 6/5
• Manchester City to win 3-2 @ 15/1

New signing making an instant impact

Pep Guardiola appears to have no interest in easing new recruit Antoine Semenyo into first-team action, blooding the newcomer immediately, and the arrival from Bournemouth should get plenty of minutes at Old Trafford on Saturday lunchtime.

Semenyo, who cost £64m to prise from the Cherries, has made a barnstorming start to life as a Citizen. He has already scored twice, as well as producing two man-of-the-match performances. Against Newcastle at St James’ Park in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night, he also had a goal controversially ruled out by VAR.

The London-born winger signed off with a goal in his last appearance for Bournemouth and is in red-hot form. Harry Maguire may be able to handle Erling Haaland, but nobody in the home defence appears equipped to keep Semenyo at bay. Semenyo to score is available at 15/8.

Goals on menu with key men missing

With Manchester City missing three top-class centre-halves and Manchester United getting some offensive weapons back from the African Cup of Nations, there are reasons for believing it won’t all be one-way traffic in the derby.

City will have to do without John Stones, Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias, so they make the short journey to Old Trafford knowing that they will have to field what is far from a first-choice defence.

With Bryan Mbeumo and Amad returning from the African Cup of Nations duty, Michael Carrick has more options in attack.

Amorim’s rocky tenure at Old Trafford was based on a 3-4-3 formation, but Carrick preferred a 4-2-3-1 shape in his time as Middlesbrough boss. With United getting used to changes at the back, City’s attack will be licking their lips.

Expect four or more goals in the game, which looks a bargain at odds-against.

Citizens can edge Old Trafford thriller

Carrick, who was a fine holding midfielder for United in his playing days, seems likely to employ two midfielders sitting deep against City. Casemiro, the ultra-experienced Brazilian, could be joined by Kobbie Mainoo, remarkably out of favour under Amorim, to form a defensive shield.

Such is the quality of the City attack, though, that Casemiro and Mainoo will probably only be able to keep the score respectable. A 3-2 City victory could be in the offing, which is a 15/1 chance. 

MAN UTD vs MAN CITY – GET 40/1 EITHER SIDE

Odds correct at time of publish and subject to change*

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