Red Devils face City in Super Sunday’s Manchester derby.
With the Manchester derby once again set to dominate the Premier League weekend, Manchester City vs. Manchester United kicks off at 16:30 [GMT+1] on Sunday, September 14, at the Etihad. Both sides enter under pressure, but for very different reasons, as United seek consistency and City attempt to avoid an alarming early-season slump.
Manchester City hold the edge in recent meetings, winning five of the last eight Premier League clashes with United (D1 L2). However, last season marked a shift, with Pep Guardiola’s side failing to win either league derby for the first time since 2020/21 (D1 L1). The Sky Blues will be determined to reassert their dominance and restore order in a rivalry that so often shapes momentum in the title race. Home advantage has often mattered little in this fixture. Since 2015/16, the host has won just six of the 20 league derbies (D4 L10). Only Crystal Palace vs. Liverpool (12 away wins) has produced more victories for the visitors in that span. With records favouring the away side, United may see opportunity in City’s current vulnerability. Indeed, City’s start has been uncharacteristically poor. They have lost two of their first three league games for the first time since 2004/05, while their three points represent Guardiola’s lowest ever tally after three matches of a season. The last time City lost three of their first four league fixtures was back in 1995/96—a campaign that ended in relegation, though such an outcome is unthinkable today. Still, the pressure is mounting for Guardiola to engineer a quick response, one he will be looking to do on Sunday when he deploys a 4—3—3 formation with Haaland, Doku and Bobb in attack. Omar Marmoush suffered a knee injury on international duty and joins Rayan Cherki [thigh injury] on the treatment table.
United, meanwhile, are still finding their feet under Rúben Amorim. Their 3-2 win over newly promoted Burnley on Matchday 3 was only their eighth victory in 30 league matches under the Portuguese coach (D7 L15). Half of those wins have come against promoted sides, with Amorim holding a poor 16%-win ratio against non-promoted Premier League opponents (four wins in 25). That statistic underlines the inconsistency that continues to plague Manchester United. Though, the Red Devils have proven capable of spoiling Guardiola’s record. Remarkably, they have been responsible for 25% of his home league defeats as City manager, winning four times at the Etihad — more than any other side. Another victory would give them consecutive wins at City’s ground for the first time since March 2021, a feat that would energise their season and deal their rivals another early blow. A 3—4—2—1 formation with Benjamin Šeško in attack is expected here.