Manchester United Face Must-Win Derby Against City as Ruben Amorim Battles to Save Season

Posted : 03 April 2025

Manchester United have an opportunity to complete a league double over Manchester City for the first time in five years, but Ruben Amorim is in dire need of a victory to salvage what has been a disastrous season.

The club is on course for its worst-ever Premier League finish, and their recent form has been uninspiring, with only two wins in their last seven games. However, history has shown that form often matters little in the Manchester derby, and United can draw confidence from their surprising triumph in the previous encounter between the two sides.

While Manchester City have steadied themselves after an early-season dip and are now strong contenders for both a Champions League spot and the FA Cup, United’s struggles have deepened. A 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest earlier this week left them languishing in 13th place, with 13 losses to their name.

Another defeat to City would see them match their dismal record of 14 Premier League losses in a single season, a reminder of how far the 20-time English champions have fallen. The pressure on Amorim has intensified, and with attacking duo Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Højlund struggling, he resorted to deploying defender Harry Maguire as a makeshift striker against Forest, highlighting the team's desperation.

Despite the dire circumstances, United will be relieved by the absence of Erling Haaland, who tormented them with a brace in his last visit to Old Trafford but is sidelined with an ankle injury for the remainder of the season.

However, City still pose a major threat, particularly with in-form January signing Omar Marmoush, who has scored in three consecutive matches. Pep Guardiola praised the Egyptian’s impact after he found the net in City’s 2-0 win over Leicester, emphasizing his pressing ability and goal-scoring instinct.

Elsewhere in the Premier League, Arsenal face Everton without key defender Gabriel, adding to their injury woes as they chase league leaders Liverpool. The Gunners are 12 points adrift, with time running out to challenge Arne Slot’s side, who need just 13 points from their remaining eight games to secure the title.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa, sitting three points outside the top four, prepare for a crucial home clash against third-placed Nottingham Forest as they juggle domestic ambitions with their upcoming Champions League quarterfinal against PSG. At the bottom of the table, Southampton visit Tottenham in a desperate bid to avoid equaling Derby County’s infamous 11-point tally from the 2007-08 season, a record for the worst Premier League campaign.

Manchester United Face Must-Win Derby Against City as Ruben Amorim Battles to Save Season

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