Another Unmissable Manchester Derby As City And United Seek Redemption

‎The 197th edition of the Manchester derby takes center stage this Sunday, and for once, it isn’t Manchester City who enters as the favorites.

‎Both teams have had stuttering starts to the 2025/26 Premier League campaign, but remarkably, it is Manchester United who sit ahead of their neighbors in the table.

‎Pep Guardiola has stumbled out of the blocks with just three points from their opening nine available, his worst-ever start to a Premier League season. For a team accustomed to setting the pace at the table, the Etihad has not been its usual fortress and Sunday’s clash arrives at a critical moment.

‎Guardiola Under Pressure

‎City’s struggles are no short-term dip. If you take their last 38 league games, equivalent to a full Premier League season, Guardiola’s men would only have 65 points.

‎That would put them a distant fourth, 19 behind Liverpool, who statistically have been the most consistent side in that time.

‎Injuries have only worsened matters. Omar Marmoush’s knee injury during international duty adds to a growing absentee list that could leave City with as many as 10 players unavailable for the derby.

‎Etihad supporters know too well that Manchester United have often been their bad side. In fact, a quarter of Guardiola’s 16 home defeats as City manager have come against United.

‎Last December, Amad Diallo stunned the Etihad with a late winner another painful reminder of derby unpredictability.

‎Away Teams on Top in Recent Derby History

‎Remarkably, home advantage hasn’t meant much in this fixture. Since the 2015/16 season, away teams have won 10 of the last 20 league derbies, with the home side victorious just six times.

‎Only Crystal Palace vs Liverpool has produced more away wins in that same period.

‎Pep Guardiola’s otherwise outstanding Premier League record also reveals recent cracks. He has lost just 49 of his 345 games in charge (W247, D49), but 22% of those defeats (11) have come since last November.

‎United themselves don’t travel with much confidence, as they haven’t won an away league game since March 16th at Leicester. But with both sides needing a statement victory, the stakes could hardly be higher.

‎Key Talking Points

‎Bayindir Between the Sticks

‎There had been speculation over whether new signing Senne Lammens would replace Altay Bayindir, but Ruben Amorim confirmed that the Turkish international will start.

‎Bayindir’s record will worry United fans: since August 2023, he has committed an error leading to a goal every 430 minutes in all competitions the worst rate among Premier League goalkeepers.

‎Against a City side dangerous from corners (third-highest xG from corners last season, 8.9), his command of the box could prove decisive.

‎On the opposite end, Gianluigi Donnarumma is set for his Premier League debut in City colors.  Had Lammens started for United, it would have been only the third time in league history that both clubs debuted goalkeepers in the same match the last instances being Nottingham Forest vs Spurs in 1993, and Charlton vs Liverpool in 2007.

‎United’s Attacking Edge

‎Despite doubts over Amorim’s United, their attacking numbers have been impressive. They’ve registered 58 shots in their first three league games, the most in the division and 14 more than any other team. Not since 2017/18 have United created so many early chances.

‎Bryan Mbeumo has been particularly active, making 54 runs in behind the highest of any Premier League player this season. City’s defense, vulnerable to balls over the top, has already conceded five clear chances from such situations, more than any other side.

‎Amorim may look to exploit this weakness relentlessly.

‎Bruno Fernandes, as always, remains pivotal. The United captain has scored in each of their last three derby wins, including last season’s dramatic late penalty at the Etihad.

‎He also leads the Premier League this season with 12 chances created.

‎Sesko’s First Start? 

‎All eyes will also be on Ruben Amorim’s decision regarding Benjamin Sesko. The Slovenian striker could be handed his first start in a red shirt, adding a fresh dimension to United’s frontline.

‎His physical presence and movement could be crucial against a patched-up City defense.

‎What’s at Stake?

‎For United, victory would emphasize Amorim’s promising start and boost confidence after years of inconsistency.

‎For City, defeat would deepen their worst start under Guardiola, raising genuine questions about whether their dominance is finally beginning to slip.

‎Derbies often defy form books, but this one feels particularly unpredictable. City are wounded, United are eager, and the Etihad will host a clash that could swing either way.