The first Manchester derby of the 2026–27 Premier League season takes place at Old Trafford at 4:30pm BST on Sunday, with Manchester City’s new head coach Enzo Maresca facing Michael Carrick’s Manchester United. It is the first derby since Pep Guardiola’s summer departure after a decade in charge of City, adding a genuine new-era dimension to one of English football’s defining fixtures.
City arrive as Premier League leaders with a 100% record, while United are looking to build on a 4–0 Champions League victory over Sabah. Maresca will have Nico O’Reilly available again after his recent back issue, while United expect Marcus Rashford to return after he was rested during the midweek European fixture.
The original draft incorrectly identifies Maresca as Manchester United’s manager. He is City’s head coach; Carrick leads United. City’s midfield will likely be shaped by Enzo Fernández and Elliot Anderson, while United’s attacking threat is expected to come from Bruno Fernandes, Bryan Mbeumo, Rashford and either Matheus Cunha or Benjamin Šeško.
United will be without Carlos Baleba, Matthijs de Ligt, Manuel Ugarte, Tom Heaton and Amad Diallo. Luke Shaw, who missed the Sabah match because of cramp, is expected to be fit and could make his 300th Premier League appearance. City are without Jérémy Doku, but Haaland, Rúben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, Marc Guéhi and Rayan Cherki are all expected to be available.
The match will also unfold against the backdrop of a planned supporter protest. The 1958 group has asked Manchester United fans to assemble peacefully outside the Bishop Blaize pub near Old Trafford from 3pm, protesting the club’s handling of its ticket-touting crackdown and the sanctions imposed on some season-ticket holders.
United have banned 685 ticketing accounts and issued warnings or reduced sanctions to a further 464 accounts following an investigation into alleged organised ticket touting. The club says it is targeting misuse and that innocent fans have not been punished. Critics, including The 1958 and the Manchester United Supporters Trust, say affected supporters have not consistently been given clear evidence or a fair opportunity to challenge the accusations.
The Red Army supporter group will also stage a visual protest inside the stadium, replacing its usual Stretford End flag display with a banner reading: “The way you treat us is a disgrace.” The dispute is likely to give the pre-match atmosphere an unusual tension even before the football begins.
On the pitch, the contest should hinge on City’s ability to control possession through their new midfield against a United side likely to attack quickly in transition. City’s perfect start makes them early favourites, but United won this fixture 2–0 at Old Trafford last season and will see the derby as an opportunity to reduce the five-point gap between the clubs.
