A blockbuster Manchester derby is set to light up Sunday as Manchester City welcome Manchester United to the Etihad Stadium. Here’s everything needed to catch the action, including where to watch, potential lineups, and a score prediction.
Where to Watch Manchester City vs Manchester United
The clash kicks off at 11:30 AM ET (4:30 PM GMT, 10:00 PM IST) on Sunday, September 14, at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester. Fans across the globe can watch the match live on the following platforms:
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United Kingdom: Sky Sports
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United States: Peacock
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India: JioHotstar
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Australia: Stan Sport
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Live Updates: Follow ESPN’s live blog coverage for real-time updates and highlights.
For those wanting to stay updated on the go, checking out live blogs or platforms like X can provide minute-by-minute insights into the game’s key moments.
Manchester City: Team News and Focus
Manchester City are reeling from back-to-back losses, including a collapse against Brighton before the international break, where they squandered a lead to lose 2-1. Defensive vulnerabilities, especially against counterattacks, have been glaring, and positional disarray has made things worse. With a long injury list, Pep Guardiola faces challenges in finding stability. Key absentees include creative stars Omar Marmoush (knee) and Rayan Cherki (thigh), alongside Rayan Ait-Nouri (ankle), Kalvin Phillips (achilles), and Marcus Bettinelli (knock). John Stones, Phil Foden, and Josko Gvardiol are also doubtful. On a brighter note, Erling Haaland is in red-hot form after scoring six goals during the international break, including five against Moldova and a winner against Finland. New goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma could make his debut after joining from PSG, offering a potential boost.
Possible Lineup: Donnarumma; Walker, Dias, Ake, Lewis; Rodri, Kovacic; Savinho, Foden, Doku; Haaland
Manchester United: Team News and Focus
Manchester United head into the derby with some momentum after a dramatic 3-2 win over Burnley, sealed by a 97th-minute Bruno Fernandes penalty. However, a shocking League Cup exit to fourth-tier Grimsby Town lingers as a low point. Ruben Amorim’s side has earned four points from their first three Premier League games, a decent start, but a statement performance is needed to prove they’re on the right track. Injuries are a concern, with star signing Matheus Cunha sidelined by a hamstring issue and Diogo Dalot also out. Mason Mount (undisclosed) and Lisandro Martinez (knee) join them on the injury list. Expect Amad Diallo and Patrick Dorgu to start as wing-backs, with Bruno Fernandes and Bryan Mbeumo in attacking midfield roles behind striker Benjamin Sesko, who’s yet to fully settle at United. Goalkeeper Altay Bayindir has struggled, and new signing Senne Lemmens might soon take over.
Possible Lineup: Bayindir; Yoro, De Ligt, Evans; Diallo, Casemiro, Mainoo, Dorgu; Fernandes, Mbeumo; Sesko
Score Prediction
Manchester derbies are notoriously unpredictable, and United have a history of pulling off gritty wins at the Etihad through counterattacking displays. Given City’s shaky confidence and depleted squad, United could capitalize with a smash-and-grab victory. Expect a tight contest, but United might just edge it.
Prediction: Manchester City 1-2 Manchester United
