Manchester: Pep Guardiola's departure was expected to shift the balance of power in Manchester. The early signs suggest otherwise.
For the first time in 10 years on Sunday, Manchester United goes into the derby against a Manchester City no longer guided by the genius of Guardiola.
Yet, if City wins at Old Trafford, the team of new manager Enzo Maresca would open an eight-point lead on United only four rounds into the Premier League season.
Even this early in the campaign, that would be a huge gap for United to make up.
While City is still getting used to change at the top after a decade of Guardiola, United has endured a carousel of managers at the same time in a desperate bid to return it to former glories.
Michael Carrick is the seventh permanent manager since the retirement of Alex Ferguson in 2013.
United fans will hope Guardiola's exit will prove as profound as Ferguson's. United has not won the Premier League since Ferguson's final season in charge.
In theory, Guardiola's exit has removed the biggest barrier standing in the way of United's route back to the top following his dominance of English football. Though he left without the title in his last two seasons, Guardiola's run of six league crowns in seven years underlined City's supremacy for the majority of his time at the club.
It would be asking a lot for Maresca — or anyone else for that matter — to emulate that level of success. Maresca, however, could not have made a better start to the season after a 100% winning record in the league and victory in City's opening Champions League game this week.
Erling Haaland also looks like he's at the top of his game with five goals in his last three appearances.
It's been a different story for United after its resurgence under Carrick in the second half of last season led to a third-place finish.
The opening day defeat to newly promoted Hull was an early blow. There was a win over another newcomer in Ipswich but also a 2-2 draw at Everton after leading twice.
It is the type of inconsistency that has hindered United throughout the post-Ferguson years and something Carrick will need to quickly stamp out.
He has recent good memories of the derby. His first match in charge when appointed as Ruben Amorim's replacement was a 2-0 win against City in Guardiola's final Manchester derby.
Players to watch
Erling Haaland and Bruno Fernandes have three league goals each in three matches.
When and where to watch?
The match kicks off at 9 pm IST. Watch it live on JioHotstar.
