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2022/23 English Premier League
Matchday 20
Manchester United v Manchester City
Old Trafford
Manchester, England
Saturday, 14 January 2023
Kick-off is at 14h30
Manchester United will be looking to arrest a three-match losing streak to Manchester City when they lock horns at Old Trafford in the 189th
Manchester derby on Saturday, January 14.
United are finally starting to gel under Erik ten Hag and they'll be expected to pose a greater challenge to City on this occasion after being hammered 6-3 at the Etihad Stadium in the reverse fixture on October 2.
Ten Hag's side have only dropped seven points since then, winning seven of their next 10 games to climb into the top four and close within four points of their neighbours.
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The Red Devils beat Bournemouth 3-0 on Tuesday to make it four wins on the spin, which was also their eighth clean sheets on the season and Ten Hag feels they are making good progress collectively and individually.
"I think we are in a good position. We are there where we want to be but still we go from game to game. We play in many [competitions] so we focus from game to game and don't think too far ahead," he said.
"[We] still think about and work on that progress, the process. It's all about that. As a team, first state, and then also as an individual because when the team is performing, also individuals are getting better."
The Citizens returned to winning ways on Thursday as they edged Chelsea 1-0 in the capital courtesy of Riyad Mahrez's 63rd-minute goal.
Pep Guardiola's team are now unbeaten in their last thee matches since the World Cup break, although they were held to a 1-1 draw by struggling Everton on New Year's Eve.
City managed to chip away at Arsenal's lead after the latter drew 0-0 with Newcastle on Tuesday and the cap between first and second place now stands at five points.
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Guardiola praised the impact made by Rico Lewis against the Blues, with the youngster changing the dynamic of the game when he was brought on at the start of the second half.
"Everyone could see from the first minute of the second half, it was a different Man City," he said. "And this dynamic from Rico helped everyone to have their freedom. He changed the game from minute one.
"In the second half, especially with Manu [Akanji] and Rico - and this young boy has the quality to make us better. Everyone can play better, but when [Rico] came in, Rodri played better, Kevin [De Bruyne] played better, and he has the talent to do this.
"Since we have come back, he has been playing for us and he has become fundamental for us, the way he is playing right now."
Head-to-Head (Last Five Premier League Meetings)
Matches - 5
Man United - 1
Man City - 3
Draws - 1
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