Manchester United and Manchester City meet at Old Trafford on Sunday, September 13, 2026 in the first Manchester derby of the 2026/27 Premier League campaign.
The two sides enter the game after recording convincing victories in Europe during the week. City defeated Porto 2-0 in the Champions League, while United produced an even more emphatic result by beating Sabah 4-0.
United looking to build momentum
Manchester United have endured an inconsistent beginning to the new Premier League season, collecting only four points from their first three matches.
Michael Carrick’s side opened the campaign with a disappointing 2-0 defeat against Hull City before responding with a 5-2 victory over Ipswich Town. They then surrendered a late advantage against Everton to draw 2-2.
The result against Everton also highlighted one of United’s biggest concerns. They have conceded twice in each of their first three league matches, a sequence they have managed only once previously in the past half-century, during the 2020/21 campaign.
That season, however, United eventually finished second, meaning Carrick’s team will not necessarily need to panic despite their shaky defensive record.
Their midweek European victory provided further encouragement, with United keeping their first clean sheet of the season while scoring at least twice for the third consecutive competitive match.
Carrick has also developed an impressive record at Old Trafford during his second spell in charge, winning nine of his last 10 Premier League home matches.
Another victory on Sunday would make him only the third Manchester United manager to win his first two league Manchester derbies, following AH Albut in 1895 and John Bentley in 1913.
City chasing another strong start
Manchester City arrive in better league form after winning each of their opening three matches.
Enzo Maresca’s team began with victories over Bournemouth and Crystal Palace before edging past Coventry City 1-0 last weekend.
Erling Haaland scored the only goal against Coventry and then continued his remarkable European scoring record with two goals against Porto.
The Norwegian has now scored 42 times in just 39 Champions League group-stage or league-phase appearances.
City are currently at the top of the Premier League table, with their goal tally giving them the advantage over defending champions Arsenal.
A win against Manchester United would give City four victories from four league matches for the seventh time in their history. That would move them beyond Chelsea, who have achieved the feat on six occasions.
However, City will be wary of their previous visit to Old Trafford. United defeated them 2-0 in the corresponding fixture last season, giving Carrick an important victory over his local rivals.
City have also won only one of their last four Premier League meetings with United.
Team news
Luke Shaw missed United’s European victory over Sabah, but Carrick has indicated that the left-back’s absence was linked to cramp rather than a serious injury.
Shaw is therefore expected to return and could make his 300th Premier League appearance.
Manchester United will nevertheless be without Carlos Baleba, Matthijs de Ligt, Manuel Ugarte, Tom Heaton and Amad Diallo because of their respective injuries.
Carrick must also decide how to arrange his attack after both Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha scored against Sabah. Marcus Rashford could be the player left out of the starting XI as a result.
Manchester City have fewer selection concerns in attack, with Haaland expected to lead the line. The striker has scored eight goals in seven Premier League appearances against Manchester United, although only two of those goals have come at Old Trafford.
Jeremy Doku remains a doubt because of a calf problem, while Nico O’Reilly has recovered from a back issue.
Enzo Fernandez is expected to retain his place after making his full debut against Coventry and impressing again against Porto, where he supplied the assist for Haaland’s opening goal.
Elliot Anderson could come into the midfield, potentially replacing Ayyoub Bouaddi.
Manchester United possible XI
Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw; Tielemans, Mainoo; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Cunha; Sesko.
Manchester City possible XI
Donnarumma; Nunes, Guehi, Dias, Gvardiol; Anderson, Fernandez; Semenyo, Cherki, Ndiaye; Haaland.
Prediction: Manchester United 2-2 Manchester City
The recent history between the clubs suggests that the derby could be closely contested.
City have managed only one victory in their last four Premier League.
