Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim will be forced into changes when he names his starting line-up for the derby against Manchester City.
Following a sluggish beginning to the 2025/26 season, Manchester United entered the September international break on a positive note after achieving their inaugural victory of the season. The Red Devils triumphed over Burnley with a score of 3-2 in their most recent match, thanks to goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Bruno Fernandes.
This victory provides Ruben Amorim’s team with an opportunity to secure consecutive wins in the Premier League for the first time this season, a milestone that Manchester City has yet to accomplish, despite their status as title contenders.
In contrast, City has suffered defeats in their last two matches, leading United supporters to believe that they are visiting the Etihad Stadium at an opportune moment to claim three points.
Both teams approach the match facing injury challenges, as the Red Devils will be missing Matheus Cunha, Mason Mount, and Diogo Dalot. All three players were part of the starting lineup in the victory against Scott Parker’s Burnley, necessitating changes from Amorim.
How Ruben Amorim will line Manchester United up against Manchester City
Amorim has outlined how he wants United to play against City, but now he needs to focus on selecting the right players who will deliver the desired result.
Changes are required after recent injuries and it comes as a blow because Cunha and Mount had been showing positive signs in the opening games of the season.
Without further ado, here is United’s predicted XI…
Goalkeeper
Perhaps the most debated position at United this season is the goalkeeper.
Andre Onana joined Trabzonspor on loan at the end of the recent international break, with Amorim confirming that Altay Bayindir will start the derby. That means new signing Senne Lammens will have to wait for his United debut.
It comes as a slight concern because Bayindir has performed poorly this season.
Defence
The back three is the one area of the team that picks itself, especially ahead of the Manchester derby. Leny Yoro has hardly put a foot wrong since the season began, yet he is one of the youngest in the team.
Yoro will be joined by experienced duo Matthijs de Ligt and Luke Shaw. The latter is finding his feet on the left side of defence, and his importance will be evident so long as he stays fit.
The wing-back roles will be occupied by Noussair Mazraoui and Patrick Dorgu.
Midfield
In midfield, Casemiro will keep his place in the team alongside Bruno Fernandes. The pair are trying to complement one another on the pitch, but it will take time for Fernandes to familiarise himself in a deeper midfield role. It’s a role that requires discipline, and we have seen plenty of that from the Portugal international since the beginning of the season.
The two No.10 roles will be taken by Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo. The former scored against City last season, while Mbeumo will be excited for his first Manchester derby.
Striker
It has been frustrating to watch United start their first three league matches without a striker; however, that could change this weekend following Mount’s injury against Burnley, which he has yet to recover from.
New signing Benjamin Sesko has had to wait for his first league start since joining United from RB Leipzig. Surely he will get the nod this weekend.
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