Manchester City vs Manchester United: Player Ratings And Opinion Polls.

Erling Haaland leads City’s attack with 4 goals in the early 2025-26 season, thriving on 14.6 shots per game and City’s 62.9% possession dominance, but faces a United defense anchored by Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro. Højlund, United’s focal point, went closest in their last derby (0-0 draw, April 2025) and scored United’s opener this season against Fulham, with his hold-up play key in transitions; United have scored just 4 goals in 3 games, ranking 8th in GF. Expect Haaland’s power to test United’s back three, while Højlund’s movement could exploit City’s occasional high line.

Bernardo Silva (2 goals this season) is City’s new captain post-Kyle Walker’s departure, pivotal in unlocking defenses with his passing in a predicted 4-1-4-1 lineup alongside Rodri and Tijjani Reijnders, where City average 587 passes per match. Fernandes tops United’s charts with a 64.65 performance index, 1 goal, 5 shots on target (11.11% conversion), and 14 pass interceptions, driving their 3-4-2-1 with Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro; he’s crucial for set-pieces but United rank 9th in GD (0). The last derby saw both go close—Silva’s vision vs Fernandes’ flair could decide transitions in a game predicted over 2.5 goals.

Rodri anchors City’s midfield in their high-possession setup (5.8 corners per game), with his interceptions and passing vital against United’s counters; City’s last 10 league games yielded 7 wins, but Rodri’s absence could expose vulnerabilities. Casemiro pairs with Mainoo in United’s engine, providing steel in a side with 4 goals conceded (tied 8th), but his slower pace may struggle vs City’s quick transitions featuring Jeremy Doku and Oscar Bobb. United’s inconsistent form (WDL in last 3) relies on Casemiro’s experience, though City’s predicted XI suggests Rodri’s composure could stifle Bruno Fernandes’ influence.

Ruben Dias leads City’s back four (with Josko Gvardiol and Abdukodir Khusanov) in a side keeping 5 clean sheets in 10 games via keepers like Gianluigi Donnarumma (new £26m signing). De Ligt, alongside Yoro and Luke Shaw in United’s 3-4-2-1, has logged the most minutes (de Ligt tops in MIN played), helping limit GA to 4 in 3 games, but faces Haaland’s threat after United’s 0-0 draw in April. Injuries hit both—City without John Stones (muscle), United missing Lisandro Martinez and Diogo Dalot—making this duel key in a match where away teams won 10 of the last 20 derbies.

Guardiola’s City (favorites at -130 odds) deploy possession-based football but need a derby win after stumbles, with new signings like Donnarumma settling; their 2.0 goals/game average meets United’s counter-threat. Amorim’s United (above City in table) aim for Etihad glory using wing-backs like Patrick Dorgu and Noussair Mazraoui, bolstered by Benjamin Sesko’s goals (top GF for United); only 1 win so far highlights pressure, but recent history favors away sides. With City in 16th and United 11th pre-match, Amorim’s adaptability vs Pep’s precision could spark a thriller.

City’s squad depth shines with 7 wins in 10 (Haaland 4 goals, 5 clean sheets), but international breaks and injuries (e.g., Stones) test them at home, where they’ve drawn the last derby 0-0. United’s resurgence under Amorim (inconsistent but table-topping vs City) features Fernandes’ leadership and new arrivals like Sesko, scoring 4 but conceding 4; their 3-4-2-1 counters City’s 4-1-4-1. H2H: 10 away wins in last 20 PL derbies favors United, but City’s possession (62.9%) could overwhelm—experts predict City win but over 2.5 goals for entertainment.

City’s 587 passes/game and 5.8 corners set the tone, but United’s transitions (via Højlund/Sesko) exploit gaps, as in their Fulham win. Injuries abound, City miss Stones, United without Mount/Cunha—while set-pieces (Szoboszlai-like free-kicks) loom large; last derby saw Højlund closest. With odds at City -130, United +160, and over 2.5 goals favored, the x-factor could be City’s high line vs United’s pace, in a fixture blending Guardiola’s control with Amorim’s resilience.