Man Utd vs Man City Preview: Team News & Prediction

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The first Manchester Derby of the season and the first between Michael Carrick and Enzo Maresca takes place at Old Trafford this weekend.

Kick-off date/time: 13 September 2026 at 4:30 pm

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

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

Man Utd preview: Inconsistent start

On the road, Manchester United started their campaign with a shock 2-0 defeat to newly-promoted Hull City before The Red Devils succumbed to a 2-2 draw with Everton due to a late Ainsley Maitland-Niles equaliser in second half stoppage-time.

At home, though, United have scored nine goals in two matches with a come from behind 5-2 defeat of Ipswich Town before dispatching of Azeri champions Sabah by four goals to nil in the league phase of the UEFA Champions League.

Man City preview: Steadier City

The reign of Enzo Maresca began poorly with a 3-0 hammering at the hands of Arsenal in the Community Shield before they needed a late and dramatic turnaround to defeat AFC Bournemouth on the opening weekend of the season.

After that they hammered Crystal Palace by four goals to one before edging past Coventry City in unconvincing fashion last week. They did then ease to a professional 2-0 win over Portuguese champions Porto in Europe in midweek.

Man Utd team news: Shaw managed against Sabah

Michael Carrick said Marcus Rashford was ‘feeling something’ after an impressive display against Everton and he then didn’t start with Sabah. Benjamin Sesko, with a brace against Sabah after scoring at Everton may well now start with Matheus Cunha on the left-wing.

Carrick said that Luke Shaw was also being managed in midweek due to some cramps but he will be expected to start again as their only out and out left-back.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Lammens; Mazraoui, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw; Mainoo, Tielemans; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Cunha; Sesko

Unavailable: De Ligt (Fitness), Ugarte (Injured), Baleba (Injured), Diallo (Injured)

Questionable: Heaton (Injured), Shaw (Fitness)

Man City team news: O’Reilly available

After a recent injury issue, Enzo Maresca said in midweek that England international left-back Nico O’Reilly would 'probably' be available for this weekend and he is now confirmed he is 100% available. This weekend is expected to come too soon for Jeremy Doku.

That may well see one of Marc Guehi or Josko Gvardiol therefore dropped with Elliot Anderson rested from the start against Porto and expected to return alongside Enzo Fernandez in midfield.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Guehi, O’Reilly; Fernandez, Anderson; Semenyo, Cherki, Foden; Haaland

Unavailable: 

Questionable: Doku (Injured)

Man Utd vs Man City prediction

Manchester United look set to be chaotic and fun to watch this season, given the fact that they have conceded twice in all three Premier League matches so far and were perhaps fortunate to even keep a clean sheet against Sabah on Thursday. City themselves were also fortunate not to be punished by Coventry last week and so both sides, it could be fairly argued, are lacking control with both teams scoring therefore a good bet.

Man Utd vs Man City tip: Both teams to score