Pep's Old Trafford masterclass: Can United survive the Maestro?
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Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 17.01.26. | 14:00
Six Man Utd bosses in ten years, and only one relentless at the helm of City. Buckle up, the 198th Manchester derby will provide us with Carrick vs. Pep clash (3.30 pm)
When Pep Guardiola steps onto Old Trafford this Saturday afternoon (3.30 pm) for the 198th Manchester derby, he faces not just a team, but the ever-changing parade of United bosses: Michael Carrick is the sixth in his near-decade-long Manchester City reign.
While the Red Devils stumble through chaos, the Cityzens radiate calm.
Guardiola's men, on a 13-game unbeaten run, are chasing a league double and the Premier League crown.
For Carrick, on the other hand, this is about pride, a chance to steal local bragging rights in a season full of setbacks.
In ten years at City, Guardiola has outmanoeuvred Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Ralf Rangnick, Erik ten Hag, and Ruben Amorim - all humbled by his tactical tiki-taka genius mind. Let's be honest - Manchester United's woes are stark: knocked out of all domestic cups, 17 points behind the Premier League leaders, and struggling to rediscover their identity.
🚨🎙️ | Michael Carrick on how to beat Man City:
— UtdDistrict (@UtdDistrict) January 17, 2026
I think I can't question the desire and the willingness to do well from the players. You've just got to guide that in the right way and in a real positive manner.
"Sometimes you need little things to go your way, but I think if we… pic.twitter.com/eeOLlAYmce
City, meanwhile, glide on: dominating possession, leading the scoring charts, and thriving under Guardiola's steady hand.
Recent signings like Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth and the planned arrival of Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace show a club building both for now and the future - and Guardiola, ever the meticulous tactician, is orchestrating every move.
Even at 54, with £2.24bn spent over his career and 18 trophies collected at City alone, Guardiola keeps pushing boundaries. United may hope for a miracle, but history is firmly on City's side: no manager has a winning record against him!
Saturday's Manchester derby promises drama, skill, and strategy. It is a clash between a coach at the peak of his powers and a club desperate to rediscover glory.
PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 22
Saturday
15.30: (3.55) Man.Utd. (4.00) Man.City (2.00)
18.00: (1.75) Chelsea (4.00) Brentford (4.80)
18.00: (2.25) Leeds (3.45) Fulham (3.45)
18.00: (1.23) Liverpool (6.75) Burnley (15.0)
18.00: (2.70) Sunderland (3.20) Crystal Palace (2.85)
18.00: (1.75) Tottenham (3.90) West Ham (5.00)
20.30: (6.00) Nott.Forest (4.25) Arsenal (1.55)
Sunday
17.00: (4.80) Wolverhampton (4.00) Newcastle (1.75)
19.30: (1.70) Aston Villa (4.00) Everton (5.30)
Monday
23.00: (1.90) Brighton (3.80) Bournemouth (4.20)
***odds are subject to change***
