Manchester derby: Key stats and prediction
By Joel Masibo, September 13, 2026Manchester United and Manchester City meet at Old Trafford on Sunday evening, September 13, 2026 in the first Manchester derby of the 2026-27 Premier League campaign, with both sides looking to build on victories in Europe during midweek.
The two rivals go into the fourth league round in contrasting positions. United have collected four points from their opening three matches, while City have made a perfect start and currently sit at the top of the Premier League standings.
United looking for consistency
Michael Carrick’s Manchester United have endured an uneven beginning to the campaign despite entering the season with considerable optimism.
United opened their league campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Hull City before responding with a convincing 5-2 victory over Ipswich Town. They were then held to a 2-2 draw by Everton, conceding a late equaliser after Ainsley Maitland-Niles found the net.
The defensive record will be a particular concern for Carrick. United have conceded twice in each of their first three Premier League matches, something they have only previously experienced once in the past 50 years.
There was, however, a timely response in midweek when United defeated Sabah 4-0 in the Champions League. The result provided Carrick with his first clean sheet of the campaign and extended the team’s run of scoring at least twice to three consecutive matches.
Carrick has also established an impressive record at Old Trafford during his second spell in charge, winning nine of his previous 10 Premier League home fixtures.
A victory against City would give him a notable place in United history. Only AH Albut in 1895 and John Bentley in 1913 have previously won their first two league Manchester derbies as United managers.
City chasing another perfect start
Manchester City arrive at Old Trafford with momentum firmly on their side.
Enzo Maresca’s team have won all three of their Premier League fixtures, beating Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and Coventry City.
Their latest league success was a narrow 1-0 victory over Coventry, with Erling Haaland once again providing the decisive contribution.
City then strengthened their confidence in Europe by defeating Porto 2-0 on Tuesday, with Haaland scoring both goals.
The Norwegian striker has now registered 42 goals in 39 Champions League group-stage or league-phase appearances, underlining his remarkable record in Europe’s premier club competition.
Haaland also has a strong record against United, having scored eight times in seven Premier League meetings with them. Only two of those goals, however, have come at Old Trafford.
City are currently leading the Premier League on goals scored ahead of Arsenal, who were scheduled to face Sunderland on Saturday.
Another victory would give City wins in their opening four league matches for the seventh time in their history. That would move them clear of Chelsea, who have achieved the feat six times.
Maresca will also be hoping for a better result at Old Trafford than the one City suffered there last season, when Carrick’s United recorded a 2-0 derby victory in January.
United team news
Luke Shaw missed United’s Champions League victory over Sabah, but Carrick has indicated that the left-back’s absence was linked to cramp rather than a significant injury.
Shaw is therefore expected to be available for Sunday’s match and could make his 300th Premier League appearance.
United will still be without several players, including Carlos Baleba, Matthijs de Ligt, Manuel Ugarte, Tom Heaton and Amad Diallo.
Carrick also faces a decision over his attacking options after both Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha scored against Sabah. Marcus Rashford could consequently be the player to drop out of the starting XI.
City team news
City’s main attacking threat will once again be Haaland, who is expected to lead the line at Old Trafford.
Jeremy Doku remains a doubt because of a calf problem, while Nico O’Reilly has returned to full fitness after missing the Coventry match with a back issue.
Enzo Fernandez impressed on his full debut against Coventry before producing another strong display against Porto, where he provided the assist for Haaland’s opening goal.
He is expected to retain his place, with Ayyoub Bouaddi potentially making way for Elliot Anderson.
Expected Manchester United XI
Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw; Tielemans, Mainoo; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Cunha; Sesko.
Expected Manchester City XI
Donnarumma; Nunes, Guehi, Dias, Gvardiol; Anderson, Fernandez; Semenyo, Cherki, Ndiaye; Haaland.
Prediction
Recent meetings suggest that the derby could be much closer than the two teams’ early-season records indicate.
City have won only one of their last four Premier League encounters with United, while both clubs have shown a willingness to play attacking football during the opening weeks of the season.
United and City have each registered 19 shots on target across their first three league matches, the joint-highest figure in the division during that period.
With both attacks showing considerable firepower and United possessing the advantage of home support, another entertaining Manchester derby could be in store.
Prediction: Manchester United 2-2 Manchester City.