Manchester United and Manchester City enter the first Manchester Derby of the season in very different situations. The Sky Blues head to Old Trafford with a perfect Premier League record after winning their opening three matches, while Michael Carrick’s Red Devils sit 13th and are looking for a response after an inconsistent start.
United opened the campaign with a surprising defeat to Hull City on Matchday 1 and enters the derby after a draw against Everton. It now faces a City side looking for a fourth consecutive victory and a perfect four-for-four start.
When is Manchester United vs. Manchester City?
The Premier League Matchday 4 Manchester Derby takes place this Sunday.
Date: Sunday, September 13
Kickoff: 11:30 a.m. ET (U.S. Eastern Time)
Stadium: Old Trafford, Manchester
Haaland and Bruno Fernandes enter the derby with three goals each
The derby also brings together two of the Premier League’s early attacking standouts.
Erling Haaland and Bruno Fernandes have scored three league goals each, giving the two Manchester stars identical scoring totals heading into the showdown at Old Trafford.
Bruno will be one of United’s key players as the Red Devils look for a victory capable of changing the momentum of their start to the campaign.
City leads the way, but United won the last derby at Old Trafford
Last season produced success for both sides of Manchester.
City earned a 3-0 home victory in September 2025, but the Red Devils responded a few months later.
In January, Manchester United defeated City 2-0 at Old Trafford, the same venue where the rivals will meet again on Sunday.
Predicted Manchester United vs. Manchester City lineups
Manchester United: Senne Lammens; Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martínez, Luke Shaw; Kobbie Mainoo, Youri Tielemans, Bruno Fernandes; Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Marcus Rashford.
Manchester City: Gianluigi Donnarumma; Abdukodir Khusanov, Rúben Dias, Marc Guéhi, Joško Gvardiol; Elliot Anderson, Enzo Fernández, Rayan Cherki; Iliman Ndiaye, Erling Haaland and Antoine Semenyo.
Head to Head
Manchester United and Manchester City have met 198 times across all competitions since their first clash in 1881. United lead the head‑to‑head with 81 wins, City have 62, and 55 matches have ended in draws. The rivalry has shifted dramatically over the decades, with United dominant in the early Premier League era and City rising to power after 2008.
Historical Overview
The Manchester Derby is one of the oldest rivalries in English football. The first meeting took place in 1881 when Newton Heath (later Manchester United) defeated St. Mark’s (later Manchester City) 3‑0. For much of the 20th century, United held the upper hand, particularly under Sir Alex Ferguson, who oversaw 20 wins and six draws in 32 derbies between 1992 and 2011. City’s fortunes changed dramatically after the Abu Dhabi takeover in 2008, transforming them into a European powerhouse and altering the balance of the rivalry.
Overall Record
- Matches played: 198
- Manchester United wins: 81
- Manchester City wins: 62–63 (depending on source updates)
- Draws: 54–55
- Goals scored: United 278, City 278 (perfectly level on goals)
Premier League Era
Since 1992, the clubs have met 58 times in the league. United have won 27, City 21, and 10 matches ended in draws. United dominated the early years, but City have closed the gap significantly in the past decade, recording landmark victories such as the 6‑1 win at Old Trafford in 2011.
Cup Competitions
The rivalry has spilled into domestic cups and the Community Shield. They met in the FA Cup final for the first time in 2023, with City winning 2‑1 en route to a historic treble. United responded in 2024, beating City 2‑1 in the FA Cup final. In the League Cup, City hold a slight edge with five wins to United’s four.
Recent Results
The last five meetings show how competitive the fixture has become:
- United 2‑0 City (January 2026, Premier League)
- City 3‑0 United (September 2025, Premier League)
- United 0‑0 City (December 2024, Premier League)
- City 1‑2 United (September 2024, Premier League)
- City 1‑1 United (Community Shield 2024, City won on penalties)
Iconic Players
Wayne Rooney is the all‑time leading scorer in Manchester Derbies with 11 goals for United. For City, Francis Lee and Joe Hayes each scored 10, while Sergio Agüero and Bobby Charlton netted nine. Erling Haaland has already scored eight goals against United in the Premier League, underlining his impact in recent years.
All in all, the Manchester Derby reflects the shifting fortunes of both clubs. United’s dominance in the 1990s and early 2000s gave way to City’s ascendancy in the modern era. With the overall record still favoring United but City closing the gap, each new derby adds to a rivalry rich in history, drama, and balance. The fixture remains one of football’s most compelling spectacles, symbolizing not just local pride but also the evolving story of English football.
