Man United vs. Man City: How Enzo Maresca’s side can break all-time Premier League record in Manchester derby

Manchester City will be looking to set an all-time Premier League record when they lock horns with bitter rivals Manchester United in Sunday’s Premier League derby showdown at Old Trafford.

Enzo Maresca’s first competitive game as City manager ended in defeat to Arsenal in August’s Community Shield, but he has since steered the Citizens to four successive victories in all competitions.

Man City most recently battled their way to a 2-0 away win against Porto in the Champions League on Tuesday, courtesy of a second-half brace from Erling Haaland.

The talismanic Norwegian also scored the only goal of the game as Man City secured a slender 1-0 home victory over Coventry City in the Premier League last weekend.

The Citizens began their top-flight campaign with a 2-1 comeback win over Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium, before putting Crystal Palace to the sword 4-1 in gameweek two.

Man City could surpass Chelsea to set all-time PL winning record

Boasting three wins from three in the Premier League this season, Man City will become the first team in the division’s history to win their opening four games of a campaign on seven occasions if they beat Man United this weekend.

Man City and Chelsea are the only two clubs to win their first four matches in six different seasons, but the Citizens will take the outright lead with seven if they pick up maximum points in the Manchester derby.

Interestingly, Man City have gone on to win the Premier League title on just two of the previous six occasions they have won their first four fixtures in the division (2011-12 and 2023-24).

Success on Sunday could prove challenging for the Citizens’, who have won just two of their last six meetings with Man United in all competitions (D1 L3), while they have also won just one of their last four league visits to Old Trafford (D1 L2), losing 2-0 to Michael Carrick’s side in January.

Looking ahead to the 199th Manchester derby, Maresca has acknowledged the magnitude of the occasion and what is at stake for such a ‘special game’.

Maresca looks ahead to his first Manchester derby as City manager

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Maresca said: "It is very important for different reasons. We know how important a derby is, especially here. A special game. The most important thing we can do is try to be ourselves and then we see the final result.

“To be honest, I’m more thinking about the team and the fans,” he continued. “The main focus is not my first derby. For sure, I want to win the game, but we want to continue to win games for everyone.”

Asked whether Man City may have an advantage over Man United as they have two more days to prepare, Maresca said: "It happened last season when [City] played Napoli and played Arsenal two days later. Sometimes it happens. I don't have any doubt that United will be ready. It is a matter of adapting.

"It happened last season with us, this season with them, next season it will happen to someone else."

Sharing his thoughts on Carrick, Maresca added: "I think he's doing a fantastic job since last season. He took over in a complicated situation and finished very well, and this season starting in the same way more or less. He's doing a very good job!"

Maresca has also provided a fresh update on the fitness of Nico O’Reilly and Jeremy Doku, the former has missed Man City’s last two games while the latter has been absent since August’s Community Shield.