Man Utd vs Man City Preview: Team News & Prediction

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The Manchester Derby is always fascinating and worthwhile watching but it is even more so the case this time around as Michael Carrick takes the reins again at Old Trafford.

Kick-off date/time: 17 January 2026 at 12:30 pm

How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / USA – USA Network

How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / USA – Universo

Man Utd preview: The latest interim

Following the sacking of Ruben Amorim, Darren Fletcher was given the job on a sort of mini interim basis and he has now been replaced by Michael Carrick in a longer-term short-term capacity, which is a completely normal way of running a football club.

Manchester United remain a mess off the pitch and, despite improvement, are some way off where they want to be on it, too. The Red Devils will only have a 40-game season to worry about after their FA Cup third round defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion.

Man City preview: In-form City

Manchester City are some way off their historically relentless selves under Pep Guardiola and they are still capable of throwing in a woeful performance but they head into the derby on the back of some excellent form in the last couple of months.

They managed to eventually ease to a 2-0 victory over Newcastle United at St James’ Park in the first-leg of their EFL Cup semi-final in midweek, extending their current unbeaten run of form to 13 matches across all competitions.

Man Utd team news: Mbeumo and Diallo back

Morocco have reached the final of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations and so defender Noussair Mazraoui remains on international duty but both Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo have returned for he hosts.

Matthijs de Ligt is out but fellow centre-back Harry Maguire has returned, while youngster Shea Lacey is now serving a ban following a red card against Brighton last weekend.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Lammens; Dalot, Heaven, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Mainoo; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Cunha; Sesko

Unavailable: De Ligt (Injured), Lacey (Suspeneded), Diallo (International duty), Mbeumo (International duty)

Questionable: 

Man City team news: Stones and Bobb out

Marc Guehi is set to sign for Manchester City but hasn't yet concluded his move, while fellow defender and England international teammate John Stones remains an injury absentee due to a thigh issue.

Alongside Stones, Oscar Bobb is also out with Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol and Savinho. Nico Gonzalez is also a doubt. Omar Marmoush remains at AFCON but Rayan Ait-Nouri has returned.

Predicted XI (4-1-4-1): Donnarumma; Nunes, Khusanov, Ake, O’Reilly; Rodri; Silva, Foden, Cherki, Semenyo; Haaland

Unavailable: Dias (Injured), Gvardiol (Injured), Stones (Injured), Kovacic (Injured), Marmoush (International duty), Bobb (Injured), Savinho (Injured)

Questionable: Gonzalez (Injured)

Man Utd vs Man City prediction

Manchester City began the calendar year with three successive draws against Sunderland, Chelsea and then Brighton. They have therefore drifted from league leaders Arsenal and there is a fair bit of pressure on this one. With Bruno Fernandes and Matheus Cunha, as well as potentially Bryan Mbeumo, United have a lot of individual talent to pose a consistent threat against an often fallible City side but the visitors have to remain firm favourites for this one in Salford.

Man Utd vs Man City tip: Man City to win & both teams to score