Febrile Manchester derby awaits amid growing rift between United fans and club

City heading to a fortress but home supporters will protest before kick-off over club’s drive against ticket touts

Manchester United’s nine victories from 10 Premier League games at Old Trafford in 2026 cast their stadium as a fortress Manchester City aim to ransack on Sunday, to join Leeds in departing with three points during this calendar year.

Michael Carrick has overseen the division’s highest home points-per-game return in that span: 2.7, ahead of Arsenal’s 2.27 (from 12 matches) and Manchester City’s 2.25 (11); and his side have scored the most goals: 26, to City’s 23, and the champions’ 20.

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