Manchester City host Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium in what could be a derby that may well define how the 2025-26 Premier League goes for the two sides.
United have had a shaky start to the season, with a loss, a draw and a win -- and a shock loss at fourth division Grimsby Town -- but the last time Ruben Amorim took United to the Etihad (mid-December, '24), they came away 2-1 winners. City, meanwhile, have had an even rockier start, with the optimism of a big win on opening day buried under the weight of two (rare) straight losses. Pep Guardiola will be keen to ensure it's not three straight, and that against City's great crosstown rivals.
It's a rocky time for both Manchester clubs and as Ryan O'Hanlon puts it, this "might be the worst Manchester derby in recent memory."
A win here will be massive for either manager, as Amorim looks to convince the United faithful (and hierarchy) that the 15th placed finish last season was a blip, while Guardiola -- in his ninth season at City (his longest spell at a club by a margin) -- needs a momentum shift as he looks to get City back fighting for the title.
Here is everything you need to know about the 197th Manchester derby:
How to watch:
The match will be available Sky Sports in the UK, Peacock in the U.S., JioHotstar in India, Stan Sport in Australia. You can also follow ESPN's live updates.
Key Details:
Date: Sunday, September 12 at 4:30 p.m. BST (11:30 a.m. ET; 9:00 p.m. IST and 1:30 a.m. AEST, Monday).
Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester.
Referee: Anthony Taylor
VAR: John Brooks
Team News:
Manchester City
Mateo Kovacic, M: achilles tendon, OUT, est. return early Oct
Omar Marmoush, F: knee, OUT
Rayan Cherki, M: muscle, OUT, est. return early Nov
Rayan Ait-Nouri, D: ankle, OUT
John Stones, D: knock, DOUBT
Manchester United
Lisandro Martínez, D: ACL, OUT, est. return late Oct
Mason Mount, M/F: knock, OUT
Matheus Cunha, F: hamstring, DOUBT
Expected Lineups:
Manchester City (4-3-3)
GK: James Trafford
RB: Rico Lewis | CB: Abdukodir Khusanov | CB: Ruben Dias | LB: Nathan Ake
CM: Tijjani Reijnders | CDM: Rodri CM: Bernardo Silva
RW: Oscar Bobb | CF: Erling Haaland | LW: Jeremy Doku
Manchester United (4-2-3-1)
GK: Altay Bayindir
CB: Leny Yoro | CB: Matthijs De Ligt | CB: Luke Shaw
RWB: Diogo Dalot | CM: Kobbie Mainoo | CM: Casemiro | LWB: Patrick Dorgu
AM: Bryan Mbuemo | AM: Bruno Fernandes
CF: Benjamin Sesko
Stats:
Over the last ten seasons in the Premier League, only Crystal Palace vs Liverpool (12) has seen the away side win more matches than the Manchester derby (10).
City failed to beat United last season (1D, 1L), and that's the first time they've not beaten United atleast once since the 2020-21 season.
City have three points on the board this season. That's the fewest Pep Guardiola has collected in the opening three games of a season, ever. The last time City lost three of their first four league games was in 1995-96, when they were relegated.
For all their troubles scoring, United have had 58 shots in the Prem this season, 14 more than any other side.
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