Rio Ferdinand has predicted that Manchester United will capitalize on Manchester City’s ongoing struggles in this weekend’s Manchester derby.
City’s poor form continued with a 2-0 defeat to Juventus in the Champions League, leaving them with just one win in their last 10 matches across all competitions.
The Premier League champions now find themselves in a precarious position, sitting 22nd in the Champions League group stage standings with two games left to play.
Domestically, they are fourth in the Premier League, trailing leaders Liverpool by eight points, with Liverpool holding a game in hand.
As City prepare to host their local rivals, Ferdinand believes the derby could provide a chance for United to pile further pressure on Pep Guardiola’s side.
Manchester United, however, are not without their issues, sitting 13th in the league and coming off two consecutive losses under new manager Ruben Amorim.
Ferdinand shared his thoughts with TNT Sports, saying, “Man City couldn’t ask for a better game than the Manchester derby to try and turn things around. Beating United won’t fix everything, but it could reignite their season. That said, I’m backing the mighty Reds. It’s a battle of two teams low on confidence.”
City dominated possession in Turin, controlling nearly 70% of the ball, but were undone by second-half goals from Dusan Vlahovic and Weston McKennie.
Reflecting on City’s performance, BBC Radio 5 Live pundit Pat Nevin remarked, “It’s not even shocking anymore. They look exhausted and incapable of sustaining the intensity needed to win at the top level.”
City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan echoed these frustrations, admitting, “It’s disappointing. We had chances, but we’re careless with duels and overcomplicating things. Instead of playing simple, we’re losing possession and giving away dangerous counterattacks. Right now, it’s just not clicking for us.”
With the Manchester derby looming, both sides are desperate for a result to shift their seasons’ trajectories.
For City, the match represents a chance to regain confidence, while United aim to exploit their rivals’ vulnerabilities and climb the league table.