Manchester City will be looking to break two Premier League winning records when they travel to Old Trafford to face bitter rivals Manchester United on Saturday.
The Citizens head into the 189th Manchester derby after suffering a disappointing 2-0 defeat away against Southampton in the EFL Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday night.
Pep Guardiola is hoping for an immediate response from his City side in his 500th top-flight game as a manager when they lock horns with United for the 12:30pm kickoff, and they can head to Old Trafford with optimism considering their recent record in this historic fixture.
Indeed, Guardiola and co have won four of their last five meetings against the Red Devils, including a thumping 6-3 triumph at the Etihad Stadium in October courtesy of hat-tricks from Erling Braut Haaland and Phil Foden.
Victory on Saturday would see the Citizens complete the Premier League double over Man United for a record sixth time, surpassing Liverpool with five.
City's first Premier League double over the Red Devils came in the 2007-08 season, and they have since repeated the feat in 2011-12, 2013-14, 2018-19 and 2021-22.
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Man United have struggled on home soil against their noisy neighbours, losing more Premier League matches at Old Trafford against Man City (eight) than they have against any other opponent in the competition.
Overall, no team in Premier League history has beaten the Red Devils more often than the Citizens (18, along with Liverpool and Chelsea), and a record 19th victory against their old foes is in sight for Guardiola's men on Saturday.
Success on the red side of Manchester is not guaranteed for City, however, as Erik ten Hag's side have enjoyed an impressive run of form in recent weeks, winning all six matches in all competitions since the World Cup break.
United have picked up more Premier League points (35) than any other team since August 22 and have risen into the top four, currently sitting level on points with high-flying Newcastle United in third.
City, meanwhile, currently sit second in the table, four points above the Red Devils and five adrift of Arsenal at the summit.
Guardiola believes that United have made "clear" improvements under Ten Hag this season and he is expecting a challenging contest against their in-form rivals this weekend.
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"[The Manchester derby is] important. Always is against United, especially in the league. In the end, it is a football game. Many things will happen in the future," Guardiola said at a press conference on Friday.
"[United have improved] a lot, it's normal, a new manager arrives. The improvement is clear. Not just results.
"I have the feeling every time at Old Trafford or the Etihad it's been a difficult game. Always were attractive games, both teams want to try to do the game. A lot of quality players in both sides. Top class managers. Will be a good game."
Neither team will be at full strength this weekend, with City having to cope without defender John Stones due to fitness issues, while Diogo Dalot is ruled out with a hamstring problem.
Anthony Martial is a minor fitness doubt and will be assessed by the Red Devils ahead of kickoff, while Donny van de Beek has been ruled out for the rest of the season after picking up a serious knee injury against Bournemouth earlier this month.
Oliver Thomas
