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Man United have been given an early derby boost, with City set to be without a key face through suspension.
We have to be honest with ourselves. The Manchester derby has not been a fun affair over the last half-decade. Erik ten Hag has been brought in to fix that. Among other things.
The Red Devils take on Pep Guardiola’s side again next weekend, with our form not filling us with confidence going into yet another huge battle against our cross-town rivals. I guess we can take some saving grace from the fact that this game will be played at the Theatre of Dreams.
United need all the help they can get right now. However, they have been handed an early boost, with City set to be without one of their key men after a sending off.
Manuel Akanji saw red after what was a rather soft second booking, alas, the Red Devils will take it, with the Switzerland international now set to be absent for the Old Trafford clash next Sunday afternoon.
The ex-Borussia Dortmund man has turned into one of their key players ever since making the move to the Etihad last summer. No doubt they’ll be disappointed to lose one of their better ball-playing defenders.
In terms of replacements, it’ll likely be Ruben Dias or Nathan Ake coming into the side, which just highlights the crazy amount of depth that City have in pretty much every position all over the field.
Either way, this is something that Rasmus Hojlund and the rest of the United front line should be looking to exploit and take advantage of. Akanji is first choice for a reason and the Reds should be looking to capitalise on his absence.
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