Manchester City vs Manchester United: Derby Preview, Lineups & Key Storylines

Manchester City vs Manchester United: Manchester Derby Set for High-Stakes Clash

Manchester City vs Manchester United is always one of the standout fixtures in the Premier League calendar, and the 2025-26 season’s first Manchester derby promises to deliver plenty of drama. The two fierce rivals will battle at Etihad Stadium on September 14, 2025, both looking to spark their seasons into life after inconsistent starts.

Current Form and Season Outlook

Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City have had a surprisingly sluggish opening to the campaign, sitting 13th in the table with just three points from three matches. An emphatic 4-0 win over Wolves on the opening day was followed by disappointing defeats against Tottenham (2-0) and Brighton (2-1), leaving City already trailing title rivals Liverpool. However, Erling Haaland has maintained his scoring form, and new signings like Tijani Reijnders and academy talent Oscar Bobb have shown promise. Fans will hope that this derby can serve as a turning point.

Manchester United, under the microscope with Ruben Amorim at the helm, are just one point ahead in ninth place. United started brightly against Arsenal, but a 1-0 defeat and a 1-1 draw with Fulham, plus a shock Carabao Cup exit to Grimsby Town, have piled on the pressure. Nevertheless, Bruno Fernandes remains a crucial leader, and the Red Devils’ 3-2 win over Burnley before the international break was a much-needed boost.

Team News and Predicted Lineups

Manchester City will be without Omar Marmoush due to injury and are sweating on the fitness of John Stones. Rayan Ait-Nouri and Rayan Cherki are also injury doubts, but City fans can expect to see Gianluigi Donnarumma make his debut in goal. The predicted City lineup is: Donnarumma; Ake, Khusanov, Dias, Nunes; Rodri, Reijnders, Silva; Doku, Bobb, Haaland.

Manchester United have their own injury woes. Matheus Cunha, Diogo Dalot, and Mason Mount are ruled out, while Lisandro Martinez remains sidelined. New goalkeeper Senne Lammens has arrived, but manager Amorim has confirmed that Altay Bayinder will start between the sticks. Possible United lineup: Bayinder; Shaw, De Ligt, Yoro; Diallo, Mazraoui, Casemiro, Mainoo; Fernandes, Mbeumo; Sesko.

Manchester City vs Manchester United: Head-to-Head Record

Recent encounters paint a picture of fierce competition. In their last five meetings:

• 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)

This recent history underscores how tightly contested this rivalry has become, with both teams taking significant victories.

How to Watch and Buy Last-Minute Tickets

Tickets for Manchester City vs Manchester United are in high demand and available through StubHub, but prices reflect the magnitude of the match. In the UK, fans can catch the action live on Sky Sports Main Event and stream via Sky GO. In the US, the match is available exclusively on Peacock.

Match Details

• Date: September 14, 2025
• Kick-off: 4:30pm BST / 11:30am ET
• Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester

Key Players to Watch

For City, Erling Haaland’s goal-scoring prowess will be vital, while Tijani Reijnders and Oscar Bobb offer fresh energy. Donnarumma’s debut adds intrigue in goal. United’s hopes rest on Bruno Fernandes’ creativity, with Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko needing to provide support. Defensively, Matthijs de Ligt’s performances could prove crucial, and all eyes will be on Altay Bayinder in goal.

Manchester City vs Manchester United: Match Significance and Outlook

This Manchester City vs Manchester United clash is more than a battle for points. Both sides are searching for consistency and confidence, and a victory in the derby could serve as a springboard for a successful campaign. Whether it’s City’s attacking flair or United’s resilience under pressure, expect high intensity and plenty of talking points.

Where to Find More Coverage

For more in-depth coverage and analysis on this fixture and all the latest from the Premier League, visit for more news.

Opinion: A Must-Win for Both Sides

Given their stuttering starts, neither Manchester City nor Manchester United can afford to drop points here. The Manchester derby often delivers surprises, and with both clubs looking to ignite their seasons, Sunday’s clash could prove pivotal. Watch for tactical tweaks and individual brilliance to decide the outcome—this edition of Manchester City vs Manchester United may just set the tone for the rest of the campaign.