The 2025/26 Premier League season is almost underway, bringing with it the familiar blend of excitement and uncertainty that fans eagerly anticipate each August.
While Manchester United start their campaign with a daunting opener at home to last season’s runner-up Arsenal, some supporters already have one eye on the September fixture that will stop the city in its tracks — the Manchester Derby.
Kevin De Bruyne began what many consider his farewell tour by leading Manchester City out in a goalless draw at Old Trafford the last time the two sides met, but United will hope they can secure a crucial victory against their noisy neighborsin what represents Ruben Amorim’s first major assessment of the season on the road.
Pep Guardiola’s City start the season as one of the title favourites with the best online betting sites after splashing the cash on new signings, while Amorim will be eager to expose the financial patchwork and fragilities of this new-look City side at the Etihad.
Without dwelling on the catastrophic end to the Europa League final, where they lost 1-0 to Tottenham in Bilbao, you can hardly blame Manchester United for wanting to forget the 2024-25 season entirely. It was a campaign marked by yet another managerial upheaval, resulting in their worst-ever Premier League finish, a shocking 15th place with just 42 points.
Their home form proved particularly alarming, winning only seven of their 19 matches at Old Trafford while suffering nine defeats, which ties for the most losses in the club’s storied history. Perhaps most damning of all is that only the three relegated teams—Leicester City, Ipswich, and Southampton—managed fewer home goals than Manchester United. The pressure is mounting for significant improvement in the matches leading up to their encounter with City.
Here, we break down the key battles that could decide whether United can take all three points from the Etihad and deliver a statement win in the Manchester Derby.
New boys lead the line
United’s complete overhaul of their front three will face its sternest test against City’s defense. Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha, and Bryan Mbeumo all arrived with lofty expectations and significant price tags, tasked with the crucial mission of unsettling City’s defensive line and potentially killing the crowd early at the Etihad.
Realistically, the opening day against Arsenal is something of a free hit as the new signings will only just all get training together, but with this fixture cropping up in September and games against Fulham and Burnley a chance to build that chemistry, this is where they can really make their mark in a big game.
However, with three new attacking players, building that rapport from day one won’t be easy. The quick understanding needed for sharp passing, overlaps, and movement usually takes time. City’s experienced defense will look to take advantage of any early mix-ups or confusion in United’s frontline.
Creativity in midfield
One of last season’s biggest surprises was Manchester City’s unexpected struggles. The champions of the four previous campaigns endured a dramatic mid-season slump that saw them fall well out of title contention.
Guardiola’s side had to settle for a disappointing third-place finish, only securing that position on the final day. City faced a crucial transfer window, with immense pressure to adequately replace the departing De Bruyne, who was often the main outlet for their midfield’s creativity.
The heart of this Derby will likely be decided in the middle of the park, where both sides have undergone significant transformations. City’s midfield looks entirely refreshed with the additions of Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki, both capable of causing serious problems for opposing defences. The role of the number 10 or attacking midfielder could prove decisive, and while neither side has a traditional playmaker clearly defined on paper, both Cherki and Bruno Fernandes will be granted the freedom to drift into dangerous pockets of space.
The battle for midfield supremacy will likely determine which team can impose their rhythm on the game, making this the most fascinating tactical subplot of the encounter.
Tactical Chess Match in the Dugout
The systems employed by each manager could ultimately decide things. Amorim has shown unwavering commitment to his 3-4-3 formation, not through stubborn inflexibility, but rather confident belief in its effectiveness. His Sporting side memorably dismantled Guardiola’s team 4-1 in the Champions League during his final game with the Portuguese club, providing a clear blueprint for disrupting City’s rhythm.
Guardiola commands a squad brimming with quality and tactical adaptability. Despite a trophy-less season last year, City remain among the favourites for the Premier League crown, and their side continues to evolve under his stewardship.
One key addition for City is Pep Lijnders, who joined from Liverpool’s coaching staff after a spell with RB Salzburg. The Dutchman brings experience in pressing and high-intensity football, having been instrumental in Liverpool’s 2019 Champions League triumph.
Lijnders’ focus on relentless pressing and maintaining tempo throughout the match aligns perfectly with Guardiola’s philosophy while adding the specific expertise of someone who successfully competed at the highest level against City for several seasons.
History and Predictions
The managerial head-to-head record provides intriguing context for this encounter. Amorim and Guardiola have faced each other four times previously, with the Portuguese manager claiming two victories, one draw, and one defeat. While Guardiola maintains a strong overall record against Manchester United, Amorim’s wins stand out as evidence of his tactical acumen against elite opposition.
The Manchester Derby has always been about more than just three points, but this encounter carries additional weight for both clubs as they seek to establish their credentials for the campaign ahead. With new faces, new systems, and renewed ambitions on both sides, this promises to be a fascinating tactical battle that could set the tone for both clubs’ seasons.
