Man City XI vs Manchester United: Donnarumma debut, predicted lineup, confirmed team news and injury latest | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola facing big selection call for the Manchester derby at the Etihad

Pep Guardiola faces a huge decision over whether to start Gianluigi Donnarumma or James Trafford in goal against Manchester United at the Etihad.

Manchester City paid £26million to sign Donnarumma on deadline day and he will go straight into the squad for the Manchester derby.

Guardiola has not been drawn on who will start but he talked up Donnarumma’s big-game experience.

“Gigi’s a 26-year-old with incredible experience,” said Guardiola.

Gianluigi Donnarumma will hope to make his Manchester City debut

AFP via Getty Images

“He’s so tall and so huge. All the keepers want to save balls and give confidence to the team and personality and he’s a big presence on the bigger stages.

“In many games he proved how good he is. He will concede goals that’s for sure, but we’re all going to try to help him.”

Omar Marmoush will play no part against Manchester United after sustaining a knee injury whilst on international duty with Egypt.

Marmoush is one of four absentees alongside Rayan Ait-Nouri, Ryan Cherki and Mateo Kovacic.

John Stones is a doubt after withdrawing from the England squad for their World Cup qualification double-header against Andorra and Serbia, but the good news is that Phil Foden, Josko Gvardiol, Savinho and Abdukodir Khusanov are expected to be fit.

In the cases of Gvardiol and Savinho, they could be in contention to make their first appearances of the season.

Elsewhere, Khusanov has shaken off the knock that forced him off in the closing stages at Brighton and Foden will hope to finally kick-start his campaign.

Ruben Dias and Rico Lewis are pushing for recalls after substitute appearances at the Amex. Rodri should be fine to start a second Premier League game in a row after being used sparingly by Spain during the international break.

Fresh from scoring six goals across two games for Norway, Erling Haaland is a guaranteed starter as he bids to maintain his early lead in the Golden Boot race.

Doubts: Stones

Time and date: 4.30pm BST on Sunday, September 14, 2025

How to watch: Sky Sports

Venue: Etihad Stadium