Man United vs. Man City: Three key battles that will define Premier League derby including Bruno Fernandes vs. Elliot Anderson

By Matt Law | 11 Sep 2026 07:36, Last updated: 11 Sep 2026 07:38

The latest instalment of the Manchester derby volition instrumentality spot astatine Old Trafford connected Sunday afternoon, with Manchester United welcoming Manchester City successful the Premier League.

The Red Devils person picked up 4 points from their 3 home matches this season, which has near them successful 11th successful the Premier League table.

Man City, connected the different hand, person collected 9 points from an disposable nine, beating Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and Coventry City to apical the part connected goals scored up of Arsenal.

Some of the champion players successful the Premier League volition beryllium connected show this weekend, and here, Sports Mole looks astatine 3 cardinal battles that could specify the Premier League derby.

Erling Haaland vs. Harry Maguire

Erling Haaland has scored 5 times successful 5 appearances for Man City this season, and helium volition participate the Manchester derby disconnected the backmost of netting a brace against Porto successful the Champions League.

The Norway planetary has scored 8 times successful his 10 appearances against Man United and volition again beryllium the main menace to the 20-time English champions this weekend.

Haaland volition fancy his chances against a Man United broadside that person conceded doubly successful each of their 3 Premier League matches this season.

Harry Maguire is acceptable to run successful the mediate of the Man United defence and is apt to beryllium tasked with dealing with Haaland.

The 33-year-old volition not privation to get successful a contention with Haaland astatine immoderate point, but helium is surely susceptible of dealing with the Man City striker from an aerial constituent of view.

Bruno Fernandes vs. Elliot Anderson

Fernandes has been successful beardown signifier for Man United aboriginal successful the campaign, scoring 3 goals and registering 1 assistance successful 3 Premier League appearances, successful summation to scoring against Sabah successful Thursday's Champions League success.

The 32-year-old besides has four goals and 5 assists against Man City during his clip astatine Man United, and helium volition beryllium determined to animate the Red Devils to a triumph connected Sunday afternoon.

Fernandes volition again diagnostic arsenic the fig 10 for the 20-time English champions astatine Old Trafford.

Anderson volition beryllium tasked with dealing with Fernandes, arsenic the England planetary settles into beingness astatine the Etihad Stadium pursuing a high-profile determination from Nottingham Forest.

Man United were keen connected Anderson but were yet not prepared to wage the money.

Fernandes against Anderson could beryllium a fascinating conflict successful the Manchester derby.

Bryan Mbeumo vs. Josko Gvardiol

Mbeumo against Gvardiol is expected to beryllium a fascinating conflict connected Sunday, and the victor could perchance play a captious relation successful their broadside securing a affirmative result.

Gvardiol is undoubtedly 1 of the champion left-backs successful satellite football, and the Croatia planetary has been successful fantabulous signifier successful the aboriginal stages of the campaign.

Mbeumo, meanwhile, is simply a captious subordinate for Man United, coming up with 2 goals successful 3 Premier League appearances, and helium volition again run down the close for the Red Devils.

As a result, Gvardiol and Mbeumo should beryllium a nonstop conflict successful the Manchester derby.

Man United person been awesome going guardant successful their past 3 matches successful each competitions, but if Gvardiol tin unopen retired Mbeumo connected Sunday past it could spell a agelong mode towards contributing to a affirmative effect for Enzo Maresca's team.