The city of Manchester braces itself for another chapter in one of football’s most gripping rivalries this Sunday, as Manchester City host Manchester United in the Premier League’s first derby of the season.
Ordinarily, this fixture brings sparks, drama, and unforgettable narratives. This time, though, it carries an added layer of intrigue, neither side enters in fine form.
City, usually a relentless machine under Pep Guardiola, have suddenly faltered with back-to-back defeats against Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton & Hove Albion, leaving the champions unusually vulnerable.
Their aura of invincibility at the Etihad has dimmed, if only slightly, and United will be eager to exploit those cracks.
For Rúben Amorim’s United, the mood is hardly euphoric either.
They’ve already stumbled against Arsenal and suffered a shock exit to Grimsby Town, before narrowly edging Burnley prior to the September break.
It’s a reminder that this new United project remains raw, unpredictable, and prone to turbulence. Still, Amorim will take confidence from last season’s derby-day heroics, when his side silenced City on their own turf.
Head-to-Head Snapshot (Last Five Meetings)
- Man City wins: 2
- Man Utd wins: 2
- Draws: 1
- Last meeting: United 0–0 City (April 6, 2025)
City Team News: Donnarumma’s Dilemma
Guardiola confirmed Omar Marmoush is out for “a few weeks,” joining Mateo Kovačić, Rayan Cherki, and Rayan Aït-Nouri in the treatment room. John Stones is a doubt, but Phil Foden, Joško Gvardiol, Abdukodir Khusanov, and Savinho are back in contention.
All eyes are on whether Gianluigi Donnarumma will be thrown straight into the cauldron after his high-profile move, or if Guardiola sticks with James Trafford.
Predicted XI (4-1-4-1): Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Aké, Gvardiol; Rodri; Bobb, Silva, Reijnders, Doku; Haaland.
United Team News: Amorim’s Balancing Act
United, meanwhile, are juggling absentees of their own. Matheus Cunha, Mason Mount, Diogo Dalot, and long-term casualty Lisandro Martínez are all unavailable.
The big call comes in goal: with André Onana gone, Amorim has pledged faith in Altay Bayındır, despite the arrival of Senne Lammens.
Up front, Bruno Fernandes is expected to push higher to replace Cunha’s spark, while Benjamin Šeško looks set for his first Premier League start. Youthful energy from Kobbie Mainoo and the versatility of Noussair Mazraoui could also tilt the balance.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Bayındır; Yoro, De Ligt, Shaw; Mazraoui, Casemiro, Mainoo, Dorgu; Mbeumo, Fernandes; Šeško.
Prediction: Expect Fire, Not Fluency
Both sides are stumbling giants, desperately searching for rhythm. City have the sharper tools in Erling Haaland, Phil Foden, and Bernardo Silva, but United’s hunger and Amorim’s tactical unpredictability give them a puncher’s chance. Expect a derby dripping with intensity, even if the football isn’t flawless.
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