Sir Jim Ratcliffe has first opportunity to start three-word Manchester United plan vs Man City

Manchester United go into Sunday's derby with plenty of trepidation and justifiably so.

Not once this season has Erik ten Hag's side put in a convincing performance against a top team. Arguably United's best wins against top-class opposition came against Aston Villa, but both victories in the league were narrow.

Unai Emery's team were 2-0 up at Old Trafford on boxing day before United came back to win 3-2, whilst the recent victory at Villa Park saw them hang on in a 2-1 win. The Red Devils were unbeaten in 2024 until their disjointed performances caught up with them in a 2-1 defeat to Fulham last weekend.

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On top of their struggles to put together a solid 90 minutes of controlled football, United have also been hit hard with injuries. Striker Rasmus Hojlund, centre-back Lisandro Martinez and left-back Luke Shaw are all key players who will miss the derby.

United's chances of earning a result against a Manchester City team who are chasing back-to-back trebles appear remote. But City's performances at the Etihad in recent weeks may offer Ten Hag's side some hope.

Unconvincing wins over Everton and Brentford, as well as a 1-1 draw at home to a struggling Chelsea team, will give United some belief. And the club know that Sunday could be the perfect opportunity to signal the start of something which new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe will be looking to achieve.

The Ineos chief said in an interview last week that he wanted to knock City "off their perch" and "smash them" on the pitch. He also echoed similar sentiments