Man City vs Man United: As it happened
Man City vs Man United fixture of the 2025-26 Premier League season is a Manchester Derby eagerly awaited and highly anticipated. With both managers under a bit of pressure after a lukewarm start to their new season, a win in this clash would certainly pave the way for the rest of the campaign.
With Matheus Cunha already out due to injury concerns, a lot will rely on Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko on the attacking front for Man United. Ruben Amorim will be aware that his side may have limited chances to make a difference in the game, as City will probably have a lion’s share of possession.
However, how United manages to bear the storm and then take their chances might decide the outcome of this Manchester Derby. While Pep Guardiola‘s Man City have a long list of injury concerns of their own, the advantage of playing at home is likely to work in their favor from the first whistle of the match.
Man City vs Man United: Starting lineups
Man City starting lineup against Man United:
Team formation (4-3-3)
G. Donnarumma (GK), R. Dias, A. Khusanov, J. Gvardiol, N. O’Reilly, Rodri, B. Silva, T. Reijnders, P. Foden, J. Doku, and Erling Haaland
Man United starting lineup against Man City:
Team formation (3-4-2-1)
A. Bayinder (GK), L. Yoro, M. de Ligt, L. Shaw, P. Dorgu, N. Mazraoui, M. Ugarte, B. Fernandes, A. Diallo, B. Mbeumo, and B. Sesko
Benjamin Sesko starts for Man United alongside Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo. For Man City N. O’Rilley starts in place of injured Ryan Ait Nouri. Jeremy Doku replaces injured Omar Marmoush. Surprisingly, Phil Foden plays ahead of Oscar Bobb in the Manchester Derby.
In the last five matches between both sides, City and United share the spoils with two wins for each of them and one draw.
First Half: Phil Foden smashes Man City into the lead
Through a marvelous assist from Jeremy Doku, Man City’s Phil Foden has scored his 7th goal in the Manchester Derbies in his career so far. Pep Guardiola seems delighted. The 18th-minute goal will give the Spaniard’s team a much-needed lift for the remainder of the first half.
Man City bossed nearly 60% of the possession in the first half. On the other hand, Ruben Amorim’s Man United were restricted to just one shot on target with around 40% possession.
Second Half: Erling Haaland scores two as City triple their lead
Erling Haaland scores for Man City in the 53rd minute of the game to double his side’s advantage in the Manchester Derby. Belgian Jeremy Doku registers another assist to his name in the match. Haaland gradually chips United’s goalkeeper Bayinder to force Guardiola’s team into a two-goal lead at Etihad.
The Norwegian striker wasn’t stopping at that. Man City’s forward strikes again in the 68th minute of the game to hand his side a 3-0 lead. Man United losing the ball in their own half has been punished clinically by City. Haaland takes advantage of a nifty ball by Bernardo Silva, goes clean on goal, and finishes it off calmly.
Man United huffed and puffed, but were never able to create any significant goal threat. Ruben Amorim tried his luck with substitutions as well. Kobbiee Mainoo, Joshua Zirkzee, Harry Maguire, and Casemiro, came on from the bench. However, none of them were able to make any significant difference at the end.
Man City wins the 2025-26 Manchester Derby at Etihad. This win takes Pep Guardiola’s side to 8th in the Premier League table for the time being, while United languishes at the 14th spot.
Final Score: Man City 3-0 Man United
Related: Liverpool win against Everton as Ekitike & Gravenberch score
