Can United End City’s Perfect Start?

The first Manchester derby of the season arrives unusually early, but Sunday’s meeting at Old Trafford should already tell us plenty about the direction of both clubs. Let’s take a closer look at Sunday’s big PL match in Manchester!

Manchester City have begun life under Enzo Maresca with three PL victories from three and followed that perfect domestic start by winning 2-0 at Porto in the CL.

Manchester United’s results have been much less convincing. Michael Carrick’s team have collected four league points, but Thursday’s 4-0 CL victory over Sabah provided a timely confidence boost before their strongest test of the season so far.

Man Utd need to turn attacking improvement into results

United have looked considerably more dangerous than they did during some of their more difficult periods in recent seasons.

They scored five against Ipswich, created enough chances to win at Everton and then put four past Sabah on their CL return.

The problem is that attacking improvement has not yet translated into a strong league position.

Carrick’s side lost their opening game against Hull and surrendered a winning position at Everton, where a 96th-minute equaliser left them with a 2-2 draw after they had twice taken the lead.

That inconsistency leaves United 11th after three matches. There are still reasons for optimism. Benjamin Sesko is finally returning to full fitness after missing almost three months with a shin injury. He scored late at Everton and followed that with another goal against Sabah on Thursday. Carrick has described the striker’s combination of speed, physicality and willingness to run behind defenders as something few other forwards in his squad can provide.

His return could change the nature of United’s attack. Matheus Cunha has often operated centrally, but Sesko gives Carrick a conventional No. 9 who can occupy centre-backs and create space for Fernandes, Mbeumo and the wide players around him.

That could be useful against City, particularly if United are prepared to concede some possession and attack quickly when Maresca’s team lose the ball.

The midfield will be equally important. United recruited heavily in that area during the summer, bringing in Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos and Carlos Baleba after Casemiro’s departure. Baleba is currently injured, which limits Carrick’s options, but Tielemans, Santos and Kobbie Mainoo provide enough passing quality to prevent United simply spending the entire afternoon defending around their own penalty area.

United’s challenge is finding the balance between being brave enough to threaten City and disciplined enough not to allow City’s attacking midfielders and striker to exploit the resulting space.

Man City already look comfortable under Maresca

Changing manager after the Pep Guardiola era represented an enormous challenge, but City’s opening weeks under Maresca have been remarkably smooth.

Three league matches have produced three victories. Bournemouth were beaten 2-1 after City scored twice late on, Crystal Palace were dispatched 4-1 at Selhurst Park and Coventry were beaten 1-0 at the Etihad.

There have been different types of wins within that sequence. The Palace result demonstrated City’s attacking ceiling, while Coventry forced them to remain patient against a disciplined defensive opponent. Maresca should be encouraged that his team have already found different ways to win.

The midfield rebuild has also developed quickly. Elliot Anderson has become an important part of City’s possession game, while deadline-day arrival Enzo Fernández produced an assist on debut against Coventry. City completed 803 passes in that match, their highest total since 2023, which suggests Maresca’s emphasis on controlled possession is already taking shape.

Then there is their target man. He scored City’s winner against Coventry to reach 300 top-flight club goals and then added two more at Porto on Tuesday.

United managed to keep him quiet in this fixture last season, but repeating that performance will require considerably more defensive control than they showed against Ipswich or Everton.

City should also benefit from having played in Europe two days earlier than United. Maresca’s team were in action on Tuesday, while Carrick’s side played Sabah on Thursday, giving the visitors an extra 48 hours of recovery before Sunday’s derby. That may become increasingly relevant late in the match.

Team news

United remain without several midfield and defensive options. Carlos Baleba is sidelined with an ankle injury, Matthijs de Ligt has a back problem and Manuel Ugarte is out long term with a knee injury. Amad Diallo has also been unavailable.

Marcus Rashford suffered a minor muscular problem at Everton. Carrick played down the severity of the issue, but the forward remains a player whose fitness should be monitored before Sunday.

Sesko should be available after starting and scoring against Sabah, although Carrick must decide whether a third appearance in eight days is appropriate following his recent injury.

City’s final injury picture should become clearer after Maresca’s pre-match press conference, but they came through Tuesday’s 2-0 victory over Porto with enough depth to make changes if required. Their number 9 remains in excellent form and is expected to lead the attack.

Can United disrupt City’s perfect start?

Old Trafford makes this more complicated than simply comparing the league table. United won this fixture 2-0 last season, and Carrick’s record since returning to the club provides evidence that his team can compete with the league’s strongest sides.

There is also enough speed in United’s attack to trouble City if the visitors leave space behind their midfield.

The overall evidence still favours Maresca’s side. City have been more consistent, have conceded fewer chances and possess the most decisive striker on the pitch. United have scored freely at times but have not yet shown that they can control PL matches for long enough. A close derby is likely, but City look slightly better equipped to manage it.

Recommended bet

Tip: Man City Draw No Bet at 1.56.

Taking the draw out of the equation provides some protection against the unpredictability that comes with a derby at Old Trafford.

United are capable of hurting City and should arrive with confidence after scoring four in Europe, but their PL performances have been too uneven to make them trustworthy against a team that has won every league game so far.

City’s additional recovery time after playing their CL fixture on Tuesday rather than Thursday is another small advantage.

Correct score prediction: Manchester United 1-2 Manchester City

Don’t forget that we also have Early Payout on this match, which you can read more about here.

Odds might have changed since the writing and/or publication of this article.

Last Updated: 11.09.2026