The match kicks off at 4:30pm BST (6:30pm EAT), with Michael Carrick's United looking to build on Thursday's 4–0 Champions League victory over Sabah, while Enzo Maresca's City arrive with a perfect three wins from three in the Premier League.
It will be Maresca's first Manchester derby as City manager and another major test for Carrick, who has already experienced success against City since returning to the United dugout.
Here are five things that could decide Sunday's derby.
1. Can United's attack expose City's defensive weaknesses?
United have not struggled to create chances this season.
After three Premier League matches, the Red Devils had registered 68 shots and 7.3 expected goals, the highest figures in the division at that stage. However, their inability to turn that attacking threat into consistent results has been a concern.
The biggest problem has been at the other end.
United have conceded twice in each of their first three Premier League matches, leaving Carrick with the difficult task of finding the right balance between attacking aggressively and protecting his defence.
City, meanwhile, have started the campaign strongly but have shown they can concede opportunities.
That could make United's attacking players decisive.
Bruno Fernandes remains the creative leader, while Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, Marcus Rashford and Benjamin Sesko give Carrick several ways of hurting City's defence.
Sesko is particularly interesting.
The striker scored against Everton before finding the net again in the Champions League, giving Carrick another selection headache ahead of the derby.
2. Martínez vs Haaland could be the battle of the afternoon
Whenever Manchester United face Manchester City, Erling Haaland is one of the first names discussed.
The Norwegian has scored eight Premier League goals against United, including a hat-trick in his first meeting with them.
But Sunday's contest could be different because Lisandro Martínez is back.
Martínez returned to competitive action against Sabah and scored United's fourth goal in the 4–0 victory.
He also has an impressive personal record against Haaland. The City striker has failed to score in the five Manchester derbies in which Martínez has featured.
Martínez, however, has played down the significance of that record, insisting that United must focus on improving collectively.
For City, the challenge will be to get Haaland into dangerous positions.
For United, stopping him could be the first step towards stopping City.
3. Carrick faces a huge attacking selection dilemma
One of the most difficult decisions for Carrick will be deciding who starts in attack.
Rashford was rested for the Champions League victory over Sabah, while Sesko has scored in consecutive matches.
Cunha and Mbeumo have also shown they can make an impact.
That leaves Carrick with several combinations.
One possible solution is to start Sesko through the middle, with Cunha operating from the left and Mbeumo on the opposite flank.
Another option is to bring Rashford back into the starting XI because of his previous record against City.
Rashford has scored six goals for United against City in his career and has scored in his last two Premier League appearances against them.
The decision could ultimately determine how United approach the game.
If Carrick wants pace on the counter, Rashford could be crucial.
If he wants a physical focal point capable of stretching City's defence, Sesko may get the nod.
4. Mainoo vs Anderson could decide the midfield battle
While Haaland and Martínez will attract much of the attention, the midfield could quietly determine the result.
United's Kobbie Mainoo has started the season strongly after a difficult summer and has become increasingly important to Carrick's midfield.
He could come up against Manchester City's Elliot Anderson, who has quickly become an important part of Maresca's new-look side.
Mainoo's ability to carry the ball, retain possession and resist pressure will be particularly important if City dominate the ball.
If United allow City to control the midfield, Haaland and City's attacking players could spend too much time around the United penalty area.
If Mainoo and Youri Tielemans can disrupt City's rhythm, United will have a better chance of launching quick attacks.
It could be one of the least obvious but most important battles at Old Trafford.
5. Can Maresca's new-look City handle the Old Trafford pressure?
City have made an impressive start under Maresca.
They have won all three Premier League matches and followed that up with a 2–0 Champions League victory away to Porto.
Haaland scored twice in Portugal, while City demonstrated that they can handle a difficult atmosphere away from home.
But Old Trafford presents a different challenge.
This is Maresca's first Manchester derby, and the pressure surrounding the fixture is considerably greater than an ordinary Premier League match.
Maresca himself has acknowledged the special nature of the derby, saying it is particularly important to the clubs and their supporters.
City's ability to remain calm under pressure could therefore be decisive.
United's home record gives them hope
There is another reason United cannot be written off.
Since Carrick returned to the United dugout in January, United have won nine of their last 10 Premier League home matches, losing only once.
They have also scored at least twice in each of those nine victories.
That record makes Old Trafford a significant factor.
City may arrive in better league form, but United have repeatedly shown that they are a different proposition on home soil.
Predicted Manchester United line-up
4-2-3-1
Senne Lammens; Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martínez, Luke Shaw; Kobbie Mainoo, Youri Tielemans; Bryan Mbeumo, Bruno Fernandes, Matheus Cunha; Benjamin Sesko.
Luke Shaw's fitness remains one of the final questions for Carrick, although he is expected to be available.
Sesko could get the nod after his recent goals, while Rashford provides another strong option.
Predicted Manchester City line-up
4-2-3-1
Gianluigi Donnarumma; Abdukodir Khusanov, Rúben Dias, Marc Guéhi, Josko Gvardiol; Elliot Anderson, Enzo Fernández; Antoine Semenyo, Rayan Cherki, Iliman Ndiaye; Erling Haaland.
Jérémy Doku remains unavailable, while Nico O'Reilly is fit and available for selection.
Maresca is expected to retain Haaland as his central attacking threat after the striker's two-goal performance against Porto.
Who has the edge?
On current Premier League form, Manchester City have the advantage.
They have nine points from nine, while United have four points from their opening three matches.
But form does not always decide a derby.
United have home advantage, Martínez is back, Sesko is gaining confidence and Carrick has already shown that he can get a result against City.
City, meanwhile, have Haaland in form and a manager eager to make a statement in his first Manchester derby.
That combination makes Sunday's match particularly difficult to call.
Manchester United vs Manchester City prediction
Manchester United 1–2 Manchester City
City's consistency gives them a slight advantage, but United should create enough chances to make the game uncomfortable for Maresca's side.
A narrow City victory is our prediction, although a draw would not be a surprise.
Match details
Match: Manchester United vs Manchester City
Competition: Premier League
Date: Sunday, September 13, 2026
Kick-off: 4:30pm BST / 6:30pm EAT
Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester
Prediction: Manchester United 1–2 Manchester City
Comments
No approved comments yet.