Manchester United and Manchester City will go head-to-head in the Premier League on Saturday lunchtime at Old Trafford in the second Manchester derby of the season.
The Red Devils come into this game on the back of three consecutive draws in the Premier League before being eliminated from the FA Cup by Brighton last weekend, with Michael Carrick taking charge of his first game as manager. Pep Guardiola’s side, on the other hand, claimed a thumping 10-1 win over Exeter in the FA Cup, before a 2-0 win away at Newcastle in the Carabo Cup in midweek.
Both sides have injury concerns to deal with heading into this game, and this is how GIVEMESPORT expects the teams to line up as a result.
Man Utd Team News
Manchester United will welcome back dangerous forward duo Amad and Bryan Mbeumo following their participation at AFCON, but defender Noussair Mazraoui’s Morocco side have reached the final and he will be absent.
Matthijs De Ligt will miss the game with a back injury, but Harry Maguire is pushing to return to the starting lineup having recently recovered from a hamstring problem that kept him out since November.
Man Utd Injuries and Suspensions
Player
Injury
Potential Return Date
Matthijs De Ligt
Back
01/02/2026
Shea Lacey
Suspended
25/01/2026
Noussair Mazraoui
Int’l Duty
18/01/2026
Amad
Int’l Duty
17/01/2026
Bryan Mbeumo
Int’l Duty
17/01/2026
Carrick Drops Team News Update
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Carrick shared an update on his squad ahead of the game.
“We’ve had a good week really.
“Matthijs de Ligt has been carrying a bit of an issue but, hopefully, we’ll get him back in some time soon.
“It’s been a little bit slower than what they thought previously.
“All in all, the boys are in good shape. I just feel the energy, whether it’s fresh or not! Obviously, I’m delighted to be here. I want to work a certain way, I want to enjoy what we do and work hard to get success. The boys have put the work in this week and we feel we’re ready.”
Man Utd Predicted XI
Man Utd Predicted XI: Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Mainoo; Amad, Fernandes, Cunha; Mbeumo.
Man Utd Predicted Substitutes: Bayindir (GK), Malacia (DEF), Heaven (DEF), Yoro (DEF), Dorgu (DEF), Ugarte (MID), Mount (MID), Zirkzee (FWD), Sesko (FWD).
With Amad and Mbeumo back from AFCON, Carrick could look to name a rapid forward line to counter-attack, which could see the Cameroonian named as a centre-forward.
That would see £400,000-a-week duo Mason Mount and Benjamin Sesko benched.
Related
Man Utd Hold Secret Talks to Sign Midfielder From Abroad in Last 24 hours
Manchester United have held secret talks with an unnamed midfielder in the last 24 hours.
Man City Team News
Man City have a defensive crisis on their hands with all of Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol and John Stones ruled out through injury. Mateo Kovacic and Savinho are also long-term absentees.
Oscar Bobb is ruled out with a knock, while Omar Marmoush will miss the game to compete in the AFCON third-place playoff game. Nico Gonzalez could return though.
Man City Injuries and Suspensions
Player
Injury
Potential Return Date
Josko Gvardiol
Leg
26/04/2026
Mateo Kovacic
Ankle
14/03/2026
John Stones
Hamstring
21/02/2026
Ruben Dias
Hamstring
11/02/2026
Oscar Bobb
Hamstring
01/02/2026
Nico Gonzalez
Knock
17/01/2026
Omar Marmoush
Int’l Duty
18/01/2026
Savinho
Other
Unknown
Guardiola Drops Team News Update
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Guardiola shared an update on his squad ahead of the game.
“We’ll see this afternoon in training [if Gonzalez is fit.
““When [Omar] finishes the third place play-off game, he’ll come back.
“Without John [Stones], without Ruben [Dias], without Josko [Gvardiol], we’re in a difficult situation [defensively] not for one game, but for a long, long period.
“Ruben will be back soon, John hopefully – we’ll see, but Josko, no.”
Man City Predicted XI
Antoine Semenyo joined Manchester City earlier this month.
Man City Predicted XI: Donnarumma; Nunes, Khusanov, Alleyne, O’Reilly; Rodri; B. Silva; Semenyo, Foden, Cherki; Haaland.
Man City Predicted Substitutes: Trafford (GK), Ake (DEF), Ait-Nouri (DEF), Lewis (DEF), Reijnders (MID), Nico (MID), Doku (FWD), Mukasa (FWD), McAidoo (FWD).
City could look to go for an attacking lineup to cover their defensive issues, which could see all of Semenyo, Cherki, Foden and Haaland in from the start.
That could see £485,000-a-week duo Nathan Ake and Tijjani Reijnders benched to provide some experience if necessary.
Related
‘Here We Go’ – Fabrizio Romano: Man City Agree Marc Guehi Deal with Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace have accepted an offer from Manchester City for captain Marc Guehi to leave this month.