Manchester City vs Manchester United: Derby Showdown Preview

Manchester City vs Manchester United is set to ignite the Premier League on Sunday, with the first Manchester derby of the 2025-26 season taking place at the Etihad Stadium. Both sides enter this clash looking to reverse their challenging starts and seize momentum early in the campaign.

Manchester City vs Manchester United: Recent Form and Stakes

Manchester City began their season with a dominant 4-0 win over Wolves, only to stumble with back-to-back defeats—2-0 against Tottenham and a surprising 2-1 loss to Brighton. These results leave Pep Guardiola’s men in an unusual 13th position, already needing to chase down early leaders Liverpool. The pressure is mounting, making this derby a must-win to regain confidence and kickstart their title ambitions.

Manchester United, managed by Ruben Amorim, have also experienced a rocky start. After an opening-day loss to Arsenal and a 1-1 draw against Fulham, the Red Devils were eliminated from the Carabao Cup by Grimsby Town on penalties. However, a spirited 3-2 victory over Burnley before the international break offered some respite and hope moving forward.

Team News: Key Absences and Probable Lineups

Guardiola will be without Omar Marmoush, who suffered an injury with Egypt, while John Stones remains doubtful. Questions loom over the fitness of Rayan Ait-Nouri and Rayan Cherki, but the squad otherwise looks strong. New signing Gianluigi Donnarumma is poised to make his Premier League debut in goal, while Erling Haaland, fresh off a prolific international break, leads the attack.

Probable Manchester City lineup: Donnarumma; Ake, Khusanov, Dias, Nunes; Rodri, Reijnders, Silva; Doku, Bobb, Haaland.

For Manchester United, Bruno Fernandes remains a talismanic figure, recently scoring a last-minute penalty to secure the win over Burnley. However, Amorim must cope without Matheus Cunha, Diogo Dalot, and Mason Mount due to injuries, while Lisandro Martinez continues his recovery. Altay Bayinder will start in goal, with new recruit Senne Lammens on the bench.

Probable Manchester United lineup: Bayinder; Shaw, De Ligt, Yoro; Diallo, Mazraoui, Casemiro, Mainoo; Fernandes, Mbeumo; Sesko.

Manchester Derby Head-to-Head and Previous Clashes

Recent derby encounters have been fiercely contested:

• April 6, 2025: Manchester United 0-0 Manchester City (Premier League)
• December 15, 2024: Manchester City 1-2 Manchester United (Premier League)
• August 10, 2024: Manchester United 1-1 (6-7P) Manchester City (Community Shield)
• May 25, 2024: Manchester City 1-2 Manchester United (FA Cup Final)
• March 3, 2024: Manchester City 3-1 Manchester United (Premier League)

United have found recent joy against their rivals, including a dramatic FA Cup final win, suggesting the gap between the two sides is narrowing.

How to Watch Manchester City vs Manchester United

Fans eager to catch the Manchester derby can buy tickets on StubHub, though high demand means prices are variable. The match is scheduled for September 14, 2025, at 4:30pm BST (11:30am ET) at the Etihad Stadium.

In the United States, the game will be shown exclusively on Peacock. UK viewers can watch live on Sky Sports Main Event or stream via Sky GO. Fans abroad can consider VPN options for global access to live streams.

Manchester City vs Manchester United: What to Expect?

With both teams seeking a statement performance, expect a high-intensity contest. Haaland’s form is a major boost for City, while United’s recent resilience and Fernandes’ leadership could make the difference for the Red Devils. The tactical battle between Guardiola and Amorim will be fascinating, especially given their squads’ evolving dynamics and injury concerns.

Opinion: Who Holds the Edge This Time?

On paper, Manchester City’s attacking depth and home advantage should tip the balance their way. However, United’s ability to disrupt City in recent fixtures, combined with the pressure both sets of players and managers are under, means this derby could go either way. Expect fireworks, drama, and a potentially season-defining result.

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