Analysing Manchester United ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash | OneFootball

A closer look at our rivals…

We head to Old Trafford for a 16:30 (UK) kick-off on Sunday seeking to extend our unbeaten start to the new Premier League season.

Enzo Maresca has overseen a fine start to the new campaign domestically, with victories over Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and Coventry City.

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Now we go into the 199th Manchester derby hoping to keep that going.

With the help of Opta data, we reflect on the on-pitch challenge of Manchester United…

Recent form

United have started the 2026/27 Premier League season with one win, one draw and one defeat.

The victory was a comeback rout of newly promoted Ipswich, the defeat came on the opening weekend at Hull and the draw came because of a last gasp strike from Everton last time out.

With a third place finish and 71 points, 2025/26 was their best season in the Premier League since 2022/23 while it’s now been 12 complete campaigns since they finished above us.

Of course, it remains to be seen how they will adapt to the addition of European football to their schedule this season - starting with Sabah on Thursday night.

Summer activity

It’s been all about the midfield in terms of this summer’s transfer focus for United, with three senior options coming in after Casemiro left.

Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Carlos Baleba have all come from fellow Premier League sides to compete with Kobbie Mainoo for two spots in the engine room.

They also signed backup goalkeeper Karl Darlow.

As well as Casemiro, there’s no more Rasmus Hojlund, Tyrell Malacia or Jadon Sancho at our rivals.

Manager

Michael Carrick is considered a legend by many at United for his time as a player there, appearing 464 times between 2006 and 2018.

There’s no doubt that played a role in him being caretaker between the spells in charge of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick.

After taking charge at Middlesbrough for 136 games, he then returned to United as interim following Ruben Amorim’s departure last season.

Having guided United back into the Champions League, he was rewarded with the job on a full-time basis this summer.

Preferred formation

United have played almost exclusively in a 4-2-3-1 since Carrick took charge.

Senne Lammens has become undisputed number one goalkeeper, with Diogo Dalot the most commonly used right-back and Luke Shaw on the left.

Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez are the favoured pair at centre-back currently, although the likes of Ayden Heaven and Leny Yoro will stake a claim while Mathijs de Ligt is injured.

As mentioned earlier, it can be any two of Kobbie Mainoo, Youri Tielemans, Carlos Baleba and Andrey Santos in central midfeild.

Ahead of them, Bruno Fernandes is the key man with Bryan Mbeumo on the right and Marcus Rashford on the left in recent weeks behind Matheus Cunha.

Head-to-head record

United won this exact fixture last season 2-0 but haven’t beaten us twice in a row at home in the Premier League since a run of three from 2008/09 to 2010/11.

Having played each other 58 times in the Premier League, United have the edge with 27 victories to our 21. However, we’ve scored more goals - netting 84 and conceding just 81.

It’s tight at Old Trafford too, with United 13 times there and City nine.

Erling Haaland has scored eight goals in seven Premier League appearances against Manchester United, although just two of those have come at Old Trafford.

Only Mo Salah (13) and Alan Shearer (10) have scored more times against United in the competition.

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How they attack

United’s seven goals so far is the joint-third most in the league, tied with City.

United and City (19 each) had the most shots on target across the opening three Premier League matchdays this season, while United had the most shots overall (68) and accumulated the second highest xG (7.3).

With two Opta-defined ‘fastbreak’ goals, no one else has scored more on the transition than them.

Averaging 585 passes per match, they’re less direct than they used to be but City will still expect to have plenty of the ball.

Bruno Fernandes, who last season broke the Premier League assists record with 21, is currently their top scorer on three.

How they defend

Only three sides have conceded more than the six United have let in thus far.

That has come from just 4.1xG, meaning they’re conceding goals from low quality chances - or shots from range or tight angles in other words.

They’re particularly slow starters, with three of the six goals going in during the first 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, only Everton have committed fewer than their 27 fouls.

Premier League 2026/27 home tickets now on sale

General admission tickets for Manchester City’s home 2026/27 Premier League fixtures are on sale to Premium, Matchday and Junior Members.

Season Ticket Members, meanwhile, are now also able to purchase additional tickets for selected games.

Premier League match-by-match ticket prices for junior and adult Matchday Members have been retained at the same rate for a third consecutive season.

It promises to be another thrilling campaign for the Blues as we enter a new era under the guidance of Enzo Maresca, who takes over from Pep Guardiola in the hotseat.

Make sure you secure your spot at the Etihad Stadium for our Premier League fixtures now!

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