Man Utd v Man City: 9/2 Haaland to ruin Carrick return | OneFootball

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The Michael Carrick era begins

The above sub-header is probably somewhat grand as the 'era' could be just the remaining few months of this season.

That said the Sportsbook make Carrick 8/11 to be Man Utd manager for the first game of the 2026/27 season so perhaps the man who graced United's midfield for so long is here to stay.

He certainly couldn't have asked for a harder introduction as Carrick's first two games are home to Man City and away to leaders Arsenal next weekend. The flip side is that it will hardly be a crime if United lose both games.

Carrick will hope to make a better instant impression than previous interim boss Darren Fletcher, whose two games in charge resulted in a 2-2 draw at second-bottom Burnley and a third-round FA Cup exit to Brighton at Old Trafford.

Add those to the final days of Ruben Amorim and United's last seven matches show one win, four draws and two defeats. Mmmm, maybe it's just the players.

City attacking trophies on multiple fronts but need win

While United's hopes of any silverware this season were ended with that 2-1 loss to Brighton, City could still capture four trophies.

They moved closest to the first with a 2-0 win at Newcastle in the first-leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final on Tuesday night and prior to that they'd smashed 10 (ten!) past Exeter in the FA Cup before being handed a home draw with either Salford or Swindon in round four.

But before they resume Champions League duties on Tuesday (City are fourth in the 36-team table and on course to earn an automatic spot into the last 16), they need to address their stuttering Premier League form.

After briefly popping their noses above Arsenal due to the order of fixtures, City have fallen six points off the pace after three straight draws: a 0-0 at Sunderland and a pair of 1-1s at home to Chelsea and Brighton.

They really can't afford that gap to grow, with Arsenal ready to cash in on another slip when they travel to Nottingham Forest later in the day.

City can complete league double

Who remembers this same fixture last season? If you're stuggling to recall it, don't feel bad as it was a dreadful 0-0 draw in April.

The two last met (at the Etihad) in September when United again fired blanks but City scored three via an early strike from Phil Foden and and two second-half strikes from Erling Haaland.

Slightly surprisingly, United last failed to score in both league meetings with the Citizens in 1973-74 (the year they got relegated) but, against that, the hosts haven't found a goal in four of their last five top-flight meetings with City at Old Trafford.

In the outright market, United are 13/5 for derby glory, with Man City a shade of odds-on at 19/20 and The Draw 14/5.

The last eight meetings show three wins for City, three for United and two draws so, despite the pairs' differing fortunes, this isn't the one-sided fixture that say the Merseyside derby has been.

But City really need to win this so I'm happy to back Pep's men to complete a league double.

They've had a fresh injection of attacking verve via the signing of Antoine Semenyo and just have more attacking weapons on a wide Old Trafford pitch that suits their playing style.

Haaland can add another City brace

Here's a quirk that may not get much exposure. And it's one that helps support a pro Erling Haaland bet.

In the last eight Premier League meetings between the pair, there are six examples of a City player scoring two or more goals (Ilkay Gundogan even did it in an FA Cup final once).

Haaland is responsible for three of those, scoring twice in the 3-0 win earlier in the current campaign and netting a brace at Old Trafford a couple of seasons ago. He also once fired a hat-trick in a 6-3 pummelling at the Etihad.

So the OddsBoost for Haaland to do it again - 7/2 to 9/2 - has to appeal.

The Norwegian has landed the 'two or more' bet 12 times for club and country this season and, after a slight drought by his standards, looks ready to explode again. His sense of theatre suggests Old Trafford would be the perfect place.

Card count could be low

In his Premier League tipsheet, Mark Stinchcombe has noted that there were zero cards in the first Manchester derby this season and he's gone for a value punt at 33/1 on there being none again.

Anthony Taylor took charge of the Etihad clash and is again the man in the middle here. The top refs carry a bit of ego and like to play the contrarian and that can manifest in not issuing cards when everyone expects them to do so.

I won't go as far as no cards but backing Under 2.5 has merit at 5/2. A reminder that a check of the Fair Play Table this seasons shows United in 1st (i.e. the top flight's cleanest team) and City in 4th.

If using in a Bet Builder, City win, Haaland to score anytime and Under 2.5 cards pays 7/1.