Manchester derby marked by drama, intrigue and a new striker rivalry

Manchester United's Casemiro and Rasmus Højlund during the match between United and Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on September 30th. Photograph: Oli Scarff/ AFP via Getty ImagesEven in the Manchester derby’s rich tradition of drama, subplots and intrigue, Sunday’s 191st edition can be billed as one of the most significant of recent memory.

By then we will know whether Ratcliffe’s desire to wrest a quarter share of the club from the six Glazer siblings will become official in time to affect transfer dealings in the January window. Nothing is certain regarding the Glazers and business – next month marks the anniversary of their protracted plans to sell – but last winter’s month of business is, presumably, one the Ineos owner would hold up as anathema to his ambitions for United.

United faltered – drawing at Palace and losing at Arsenal – owing to this acceptance of mediocrity which points to the questionable transfer strategy overseen by the owners. Ratcliffe, notably, flagged his own example during a presentation at the club’s Carrington training base in March, citing how the 30-year-old Casemiro was handed a four-year deal the previous summer, worth around £350,000 a week.

In six Premier League appearances, though, Højlund is yet to score – a function of the uneven side he has walked into. Ten Hag’s United are, like their young marksman, a far from finished project. City, conversely, are a primed winning machine that has the genius Guardiola driving it on in an endless quest for perfection.

Højlund has three goals – all in the Champions League – and is living off crumbs as Ten Hag continues to search for the right team combination and best patterns of play to feed the 20-year-old. The manager has been hampered by injuries, the conduct of Jadon Sancho and Antony’s need to address accusations of violence towards more than one woman – all of which the Brazilian denies.

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