When Riyad Mahrez scored Manchester City's fourth goal against Manchester United in March, the feeling amongst Reds supporters could hardly have been worse. The club, in the midst of a nightmare campaign, went out with a whimper against Pep Guardiola's side, despite starting the game in a positive manner.
Jadon Sancho levelled proceedings in the 18th minute after Kevin De Bruyne had scored the first of his two goals in the opening five minutes. Although City dominated the majority of the first period, United did well to make it to half-time level.
The second-half, however, could not have been any worse. Mahrez grabbed a brace, and the Reds failed to land another punch. In fact, they never even looked like they had returned to the ring.
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Ralf Rangnick's side were humbled at the Etihad and the last few months of the campaign didn't go much better. The Reds failed to secure Champions League qualification, and the campaign came to an end without anything else to shout about. And yet, over the summer, things appeared as though they were changing for the better. The interim boss was replaced by Erik ten Hag, who has, at least for now, managed to get rid of the negative culture at Old Trafford.
United made a nightmare start to the new season, with Ten Hag's side losing their opening two matches against Brighton and Brentford. The atmosphere threatened to boil over, but the Dutchman quickly got things under control. Since then, the Reds have won their last four successive Premier League matches - which has included victories over Liverpool and Arsenal.
The Reds made a number of new signings in the summer transfer window, with Casemiro, Antony, Christian Eriksen, Lisandro Martinez and Tyrell Malacia amongst the arrivals as Ten Hag attempted to re-fresh his squad.
Although Casemiro is yet to assert himself as a starter, he has showed glimpses of his quality and is expected to form part of the starting line-up very soon. Meanwhile, the other summer arrivals have all played their way into the starting XI after impressing since moving to Old Trafford.
Understandably, given the disappointing result and performance against City in March, very few players from the clash are expected to feature against Guardiola's side this time around. Six players who started against the Blues have been axed, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Fred all unlikely to feature, while Paul Pogba is no longer at the club and Alex Telles is out on loan.
David de Gea, Scott McTominay, Sancho and Bruno Fernandes are the only four players who are expected to keep their place in the side from that loss at the Etihad in March. Cristiano Ronaldo - who missed the last derby through injury - is set to take his place on the bench for the fifth successive Premier League match. However, that could all change if Marcus Rashford is ruled out through injury.
It became increasingly obvious that United needed to add fresh blood to their underperforming squad last season, with the players lacking confidence and, according to many former players and pundits, desire. In a campaign that promised so much before a ball was kicked, it simply could not end quick enough.
This season, however, has been different. It came as no real surprise that Ten Hag was so desperate to add additions to his squad, and even less of a surprise that they have come in and replaced the players who had the shirts last term. Although the loss against City earlier this year was extremely damming, it at least showed the Dutchman what needed to change.
If the Reds are to go to the Etihad and get a positive result against the reigning Premier League champions, they will need their 'new' players so step up and show why they were so desperately needed, but they will also need their 'old' stars to prove that they can deliver when needed.
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