Despite travelling to the backyard of their fiercest rivals, Man City remain the bookmakers' favourites for Saturday's Manchester derby at Old Trafford.
Man United haven’t won since they sacked Ruben Amorim on 5 January, most recently being dumped out of the FA Cup at home to Brighton & Hove Albion.
A week of turmoil has ended with former player Michael Carrick taking the managerial reins until the end of the season. A fan favourite in his playing days, he’s no stranger to the Old Trafford Head Coach role after stepping in as caretaker in 2021.
But this is the real thing now. Whether he sinks or swims in the derby could be the catalyst for the rest of his spell in charge. That seat might just feel a little more fiery to touch on Saturday lunchtime.
How to claim the 50/1 Manchester derby offer on Sky Bet
In better news, Carrick will welcome back both Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo after their AFCON exploits. They may well go straight back into the starting line-up, despite Patrick Dorgu and Mason Mount filling in admirably in their absence.
Pep Guardiola may not have his first choice centre back duo fit in Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol for the foreseeable future, but that didn’t stop his side dismantling League One Exeter 10-1 in the FA Cup, before beating Newcastle 2-0 at St. James’ Park in the Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg.
The AllSportsPeople brings you our prediction and bet builder tips for this Premier League clash - both teams have scored in five of the last eight League meetings between the cross-city rivals.
Manchester United vs. Manchester City prediction: Can Carrick score first victory on derby day?
City have dealt more than adequately in spite of their defensive injury crisis. Abdukodir Khusanov has been partnered by Max Alleyne, called back from his loan-spell with Championship side Watford. The pair have conceded just one goal in two matches.
Guardiola’s side dispatched the Red Devils 3-0 at the Etihad Stadium in September, but that was without their latest star signing Antoine Semenyo. The former Bournemouth forward has notched two goals in two matches for his new club. He has fit seamlessly into the team that has been orchestrated by Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki in recent months.
Despite United’s poor form, Carrick will believe this is the type of game to re-ignite their season, just three points off the top four positions. All is not lost.
A victory in a derby they’ve avoided defeat in two of the last three games, will put them back in serious contention for Champions League qualification. Bruno Fernandes often has a say in big games too.
Nonetheless, it might come a bit too soon to see Carrick’s tactics in full effect and City will be intent to heap pressure on Arsenal at the top of the Premier League.
Our Score Prediction: Manchester United 1-2 Manchester City (7/1 with Paddy Power)
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Head-to-head: Man United vs. Man City
- In September 2025, City dispatched United 3-0 at the Etihad Stadium. A goal from Phil Foden and a brace from Erling Haaland was enough to do the business.
- Manchester City have won three of the previous five league meetings between the pair. Their last loss to their rivals came last season in a 1-2 reverse at the Etihad Stadium. Bruno Fernandes scored an 88th minute equaliser, before Amad Diallo scored a 90th minute winner.
- Overall, the two sides have met 197 times, with Manchester United winning 80 of those, and City victorious on 63 occasions.
Man United vs Man City Form Guide
Manchester United - Last 5 matches (all competitions)
- Manchester United 1–2 Brighton & Hove Albion — FA Cup
- Burnley 2–2 Manchester United — Premier League
- Leeds United 1–1 Manchester United — Premier League
- Manchester United 1–1 Wolverhampton Wanderers — Premier League
- Manchester United 1–0 Newcastle United — Premier League
Manchester City - Last 5 matches (all competitions)
- Newcastle United 0–2 Manchester City — Carabao Cup
- Manchester City 10–1 Exeter City — FA Cup
- Manchester City 1–1 Brighton & Hove Albion — Premier League
- Manchester City 1–1 Chelsea — Premier League
- Sunderland 0–0 Manchester City — Premier League
Betfair Manchester derby offer: A step-by-step guide
Man United vs. Man City Betting Tips
Carrick's United will most likely come out of the blocks with real intent, trying to shock City with energy and pressing. But could this mean they’re slightly vulnerable to the counter-attack even in the first third of the match?
With that in mind, expect the deadlock to be broken in the first 30 minutes. At time of writing, Ladbrokes has over 0.5 goals to be scored between 15:01 and 30:00 minutes at 6/4.
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Man United vs Man City Team News, Injury Updates
Manchester United Team News
- Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo are both back from the African Cup of Nations but Noussair Mazrouai is still away having qualified for Sunday’s final.
- Harry Maguire should be fit again, having returned in the FA Cup defeat to Brighton.
- However, Mathijs De Ligt (back injury), and Shea Lacey (suspended) will be sidelined.
Manchester City Team News
- City are expected to persist with Khusanov and Alleyne, with all of Dias, Gvardiol and Stones on the injury table.
- Mateo Kovacic is still crocked, as are forwards Oscar Bobb and Savinho.
- Omar Marmoush will play in the AFCON third-place play-off, so Semenyo and Doku should flank Haaland in attack once again.
Man United vs. Man City Lineups: Predicted Starting XI’s
Ruben Amorim was very much a stickler for three at the back, while Darren Fletcher fielded a flat back-four in his two matches in charge. It’s tough to predict how Carrick will go in his first match in charge. But a back four may suit while he gets to grip with the role.
Pep Guardiola is sure to follow the blueprint that has seen his side score 12 goals in two matches. But the Spaniard will have some selection headaches in attack.
Man United predicted lineup to play Man City
(4-2-3-1) Lammens (GK) - Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw - Casemiro, Fernandes - Diallo, Mbeumo, Cunha - Sesko
Man City predicted lineup to play Man United
(4-3-3) Donnarumma (GK) - Nunes, Khusanov, Alleyne, O’Reilly - Rodri, Silva, Foden - Semenyo, Doku, Haaland
Man United vs. Man City Odds: Who is the favourite to win?
Man United vs. Man City Bet Builder Tips
Our bet builder for the Manchester derby is Man City to win, Casemiro to be carded and City’s new signing Antoine Semenyo to score anytime. This bet builder came in at 11/1 with Coral at the time of writing.
Man United vs. Man City TV Channel, Live Stream
Here you can find all the key information for how to watch Manchester United vs. Manchester City in the Premier League on TV or via live stream:
- Date: Saturday, January 17
- Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester, England
- Time: 12:30 GMT
- TV/Stream: Sky Sports Football, Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports UltraHDR / SkyGo
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