Manchester Derby: Interesting Stat Shows Manchester United Have Slight Edge Over City

Manchester Derby: Interesting Stat Shows Manchester United Have Slight Edge Over City

Rene Otinga
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:12 PM
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  • The Manchester derby is arguably the most anticipated game of the weekend as the international break comes to an end
  • Pep Guardiola’s side are in typical scintillating form and sit second on the log, just two points behind leaders Arsenal
  • For Manchester United, they are just discovering their formula under new boss Erik Ten Hag

If recent history is anything to go by, United tend to be rejuvenated after an international break

Manchester United have a history of coming off with good results after the international break, especially in recent seasons.

This will provide an interesting incentive for Erik Ten Hag as his side prepares to visit the Etihad for the Manchester derby on Sunday, October 2.

Manchester derby, Man City, Manchester United
A past Manchester derby when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was still manager. Manchester United have a decent record in games immediately after the international break. Photo: Getty.
Source: Getty Images

The international break will have come at a bad time for United, who were experiencing a decent run of form, winning four games on the bounce in the Premier League.

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Arsenal were the latest to suffer at the hands of a rejuvenated United at Old Trafford as Mikel Arteta’s side succumbed to a 3-1 defeat for their first dropped points of the 2022/23 campaign.

Sports Brief takes a look at the last six seasons and how Manchester United have performed immediately after an international break.

Over the last six years, United have been managed by three big names; Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick.

For Mourinho, his Manchester United side lost just once in 11 games that were played immediately after the international break, winning three and drawing seven.

In total he took 16 points from those games out of a possible 33.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer performed even better in games immediately after international duty, winning six, drawing six and only enduring two losses during his time as United boss.

This gives the Norwegian a slightly better return than Mourinho, with 20 points from a possible 30.

Ralf Rangnick was the only manager at United for a few months and the one game he managed after an international break was a 1-1 draw against Leicester City in April 2022.

Since the 2016/17 campaign, United have won nine and drawn 10 games after the international break, losing just three of the 22 games.

With this in mind, Ten Hag will be hoping to extend this streak on Sunday, although it will definitely not be easy.

Conte addresses reports linking him to Juventus

Elsewhere, Sports Brief earlier reported of Antonio Conte’s blunt statement on rumors linking him with a Juventus return.

The Tottenham boss said the reports were disrespectful and he was fully focused on the North London club.

Earlier in the month, reports in Italy suggested Conte was open to a return to Turin as pressure continues to mount on Massimiliano Allegri.

Allegri potentially faces the sack, with his Juventus side securing just two wins in seven games so far this season.

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Rene Otinga photo
Rene Otinga
Rene Otinga is a sports journalist with over eight years of working experience in digital media. Rene's experience includes working as a Copywriter at X News Kenya and TUKO.co.ke.
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Erik Ten HaagPep Guardiola