Pundits make their Manchester United vs Man City predictions

straight to your inbox every day for freeManchester United kick off 2021 with a Premier League clash against Aston Villa on New Year's Day.The sides go head-to-head at Old Trafford (8pm kick-off) as they bid to start the year on a high.United went into 2021 second in the table - three points behind leaders Liverpool with a game in hand. So, with Jurgen Klopp's men not in action until Monday (January 4), Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 's side have a chance to go joint top.

straight to your inbox every day for freeManchester United fans have hailed the performance of Eric Bailly in their 1-0 victory over Wolves.The defender had a dominant performance at centre-back, snuffing out a number of Wolves opportunities and helping United to a clean sheet that ultimately enabled them to win the game through Marcus Rashford's last-gasp deflected strike.It was the 26-year-old's third game within a week after an injury-hit few seasons at Old Trafford and his performance has

straight to your inboxBarcelona presidential candidate Joan Laporta is confident Lionel Messi will remain at the club beyond next summer despite interest from Manchester City.Messi dropped a bombshell in the summer by revealing he was seriously unhappy at the club, submitting a transfer request in the hope the club would allow him to leave for nothing.Barcelona insisted the release clause that would see Messi depart on a free had expired and the Argentine opted against fighting his current

straight to your inbox every day for freeManchester United will be looking to round off their year on a high against Wolverhampton Wanderers.Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men face Wolves at Old Trafford on Tuesday (December 29, 8pm kick-off) in their final match of 2020.United 's recent good form in the league has seen them climb into the top four. They go into this game five points behind leaders Liverpool, and with a game in hand.United drew 2-2 at Leicester City last time out, on Boxing Day.

straight to your inbox every day for freeMatch of the Day pundits Alan Shearer and Danny Murphy have offered firm Manchester United predictions on where Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side could finish this season. The Reds have enjoyed a resurgence in the Premier League of late, winning six of their last seven in the top-flight before a 2-2 draw with Leicester City on Boxing Day.

straight to your inboxWith Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi's contract expiring at the end of the season, the Argentine can open talks with interested parties in January, with Manchester City one of the clubs linked with signing the legendary forward.Ahead of January, former City defender Pablo Zabaleta is under no illusions that City would be a great club for Messi to join."Manchester City is the best place for Messi," Zabaleta told Spanish media outlet Marca.

straight to your inbox every day for free Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed Eric Bailly will start at centre back for Manchester United against Leicester City. The Ivorian has retained his place from the midweek win at Everton in the Carabao Cup and his inclusion is the only change from the side that thrashed Leeds last weekend.

straight to your inbox every day for freeAfter a troubled start to the season, Manchester United have started to find their rhythm in the Premier League and are within touching distance of early pacesetters Liverpool.While there is still a long way to go in terms of any title race, the improvements in the past month have been significant and have capped off what has largely been a great year for United domestically.A big factor behind that is, of course, the signing of Bruno Fernandes in

straight to your inboxMicah Richards says he is looking for more from Riyad Mahrez's end product on a consistent basis.The Manchester City star found the net in his side's 4-1 Carabao Cup victory over Arsenal, curling in a free-kick that should have been saved by Gunners goalkeeper Runar Runarsson.Yet the Icelandic international let the free-kick through his hands, giving Mahrez his fifth goal of the season.Mahrez previously scored a hat-trick in City's 5-0 win over Burnley but has struggled to

straight to your inbox every day for freeManchester United assistant manager Mike Phelan has sent a message to Kai Rooney upon his signing for the Reds. Kai is the son of United great Wayne Rooney, who starred for the club from 2004 to 2017.Rooney's son may only be 11 years of age but he is already on the books at United after signing this week, with the former England international sharing a picture on Twitter of himself with Kai and his wife Coleen at Old Trafford."Proud day.

straight to your inboxThe 2020/21 campaign was never going to be an easy one for Manchester City – the fact pre-season training began just 16 days after their Champions League defeat to Lyon is often overlooked. Yet few would have envisioned Pep Guardiola’s side sitting ninth in the Premier League table heading into the Christmas period, although they do have a game in hand on seven of the sides above them.

straight to your inbox every day for freeManchester United will be looking to return to winning ways on Thursday evening when they travel to Bramall Lane to face Sheffield United.Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side played out a 0-0 draw with Manchester City at the weekend in the aftermath of their UEFA Champions League exit.With Europa League action out of the way until February, United can now focus on climbing the Premier League table, starting with a trip to face Chris Wilder's men who are

straight to your inboxPablo Zabaleta has urged Lionel Messi to sign for Manchester City next summer.Messi has spent his entire senior career at Barcelona but is now being tipped for a move away from the Nou Camp.City have been linked with the 33-year-old Argentina superstar, who is in the final year of his current contract.Messi has previously played under Pep Guardiola at Barcelona - and his former international team-mate Zabaleta would love to see the pair reunited in Manchester."Manchester

straight to your inbox every day for freeThis time last year, everything was rosy at Bramall Lane with Sheffield United positioned fifth in the Premier League table after the opening 12 matches of the campaign.Chris Wilder was being hailed, and the Blades were being tipped to put up a fight to secure a European place ahead of one of the more established clubs.Twelve months later and very little has changed at the club with Wilder still in charge and no regular first-team players sold over the

straight to your inboxManchester City will be looking to improve on their goalless draw against Manchester United at the weekend when they welcome West Brom to the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday.Pep Guardiola's side drew criticism for their lacklustre performance against their rivals at Old Trafford and currently sit ninth in the Premier League table after a disappointing start to the new season.Nevertheless, City have an excellent record against the Baggies, winning their last 14 fixtures against

straight to your inbox every day for freeManchester United fans believe Facundo Pellistri will make an impact in the first-team sooner rather than later after netting in the mini-derby against Manchester City's Elite Development Squad.Pellistri joined United on deadline day of the summer transfer window after impressing in Uruguay while working with former United striker Diego Forlan at Penarol.Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has stressed patience is required over the youngster's development though

direct to your inboxJohn Stones looks set to start in the back four for Manchester City as they take on their cross-city rivals at Old Trafford on Saturday.The centre-back's recent renaissance has seen him come back into the favour of Pep Guardiola, and it seems that he'll be rewarded with a place in City's starting line-up against Manchester United, alongside Ruben Dias.Stones' return to form has been at the expense of Aymeric Laporte.

straight to your inbox every day for freeManchester United fans have picked their preferred team to face West Ham United in the Premier League, with Dean Henderson preferred to David de Gea in goal.We asked you to pick your favoured starting XI for the game at the London Stadium, and Henderson, Axel Tuanzebe and Mason Greenwood have all been backed to start.Henderson replaced the injured De Gea at half-time against Southampton, though the Spaniard was fit to return for the PSG game.Meanwhile,