Manchester United vs Manchester City: evidence-led derby preview
Data cutoff: 1 September 2026. Twelve days before kickoff, the first Manchester United v Manchester City derby of the 2026/27 Premier League (…)
VS
Manchester United vs Manchester City is a rivalry in which periods of City control meet United’s proven capacity for decisive reversals. City’s 3–1 comeback in March 2024 followed Marcus Rashford’s opener; nine months later, United won 2–1 at the Etihad through late goals from Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo. Cup meetings add another layer, giving every future derby both a clear hierarchy to test and room for a sudden change.
Past matches, Manchester United vs Manchester City
Match center
Watch it on:
-
Sky Sport 8 NZ
-
Disney+ Hotstar
-
VOYO
-
Stöð 2 Sport IS
-
Sky Sports Premier League
-
Movistar Liga de Campeones
-
Play Sports 1
Starting eleven
Substitutes Manchester United
-
26D
-
3D
-
15D
-
17M
-
7M
-
31F
-
30F
-
12G
-
11F
Manchester City Substitutes
-
F
7
-
G
28
-
F
37
-
D
82
-
D
45
-
D
33
-
D
22
-
M
8
-
M
32
Match events
0'
45'
90'
⇄
⚽
⇄
⇄
⇄
-
23'Phil Foden Red Card
-
45' +1Vincenzo Maresca Yellow Card
-
45'Iliman Ndiaye Rayan Cherki
-
60'⚽Erling Haaland Normal Goal
-
60'Erling Haaland Goal confirmed
-
67'Benjamin Šeško Youri Tielemans
-
79'Josko Gvardiol Yellow Card
-
80'Enzo Fernández Yellow Card
-
81'Harry Maguire Yellow Card
-
82'Nico O'Reilly Enzo Fernández
-
83'Joshua Zirkzee Marcus Rashford
Stats for this game
Matchup Manchester United VS Manchester City
City’s control, United’s resistance
Manchester City’s 3–1 comeback in March 2024 showed how quickly a United lead could be overturned. Marcus Rashford struck first, but Phil Foden scored twice and Erling Haaland completed the turnaround. That result displayed City’s ability to sustain pressure and create separation, while the opening goal showed United could still alter the emotional and tactical shape of the derby.
Why the contest can still turn
In December 2024, United answered at the Etihad. Josko Gvardiol put City ahead, but Bruno Fernandes converted a late penalty and Amad Diallo scored the winner soon afterwards. United had also beaten City 2–1 in the 2024 FA Cup final, when Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo built a lead before Jeremy Doku replied. Those fixed reversals keep the fixture compelling. Each future derby will ask whether City turn control into separation or United again make one high-pressure phase belong to them.
Past head to head stats
Manchester United VS Manchester City
Balance Wins - Draws - Losses over time
Manchester United
Manchester City
Points per match over time
Comparison between the 2 teams for the last 10 games
Comparison between the 2 teams for the last 20 games
Manchester United VS Manchester City
Head-to-Head History
Previous games Manchester United
League Stage - 4
Old Trafford
Regular Season - 9
Stamford Bridge
Regular Season - 8
Old Trafford
League Stage - 3
Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia
Regular Season - 7
Elland Road
Previous games Manchester City
League Stage - 4
Red Bull Arena
Regular Season - 9
Etihad Stadium
Round of 16
Etihad Stadium
Regular Season - 8
Villa Park
League Stage - 3
Etihad Stadium
Upcoming games Manchester United
-
Regular Season - 10
Manchester United
Aston Villa
Old Trafford
-
Regular Season - 11
Liverpool
Manchester United
Anfield
-
Group Stage
Sporting CP
Manchester United
-
Regular Season - 12
Manchester United
Brentford
Old Trafford
-
Regular Season - 13
Newcastle
Manchester United
St. James' Park
Upcoming games Manchester City
-
Regular Season - 10
Nottingham Forest
Manchester City
The City Ground
-
Regular Season - 11
Manchester City
Fulham
Etihad Stadium
-
Group Stage
Manchester City
Napoli
-
Regular Season - 12
Arsenal
Manchester City
Emirates Stadium
-
Regular Season - 13
Manchester City
Leeds
Etihad Stadium