We’ve delved into all of the stats using the Squawka Comparison Matrix to pick out a combined Man Utd and Man City XI ahead of the Manchester derby in the Premier League on Sunday.
Check the stats and see our eventual combined XI below. The players we’ve chosen to compare are a combination of the teams’ most-used XIs so far at this early stage of the season and predicted lineups for the match itself.
Goalkeeper: Senne Lammens vs Gianluigi Donnarumma
Senne Lammens has certainly been the busier of the two Manchester goalkeepers, averaging 3.0 saves per 90 minutes compared to 2.4. Man Utd have also faced 11.7 shots on target per 90 compared to just 9.0 for Man City. However, Donnarumma comes out on top in most other key metrics, conceding fewer goals, boasting a higher save percentage and clocking better numbers with the ball at his feet.
Winner: Gianluigi Donnarumma
Right-back: Diogo Dalot vs Abdukodir Khusanov
Abdukodir Khusanov has held down the right-back spot for Man City over the past two games. Predictably, given his centre-back roots, he’s been very strong in duels, outperforming Diogo Dalot in this area. However, going forward, it’s the Man Utd man impressing, creating 3.3 chances per 90, while he also comes out on top for clearances and interceptions. The natural option wins here after a solid start to the campaign.
Winner: Diogo Dalot
Centre-backs: Harry Maguire vs Lisandro Martinez vs Ruben Dias vs Marc Guehi
Marc Guehi has fully established himself as a Man City mainstay at the start of this season and has rewarded Enzo Maresca by outperforming his Manchester centre-back rivals in almost every key metric. The former Palace man is top of the pile in all but three of our chosen categories, though Harry Maguire matches him at 1.4 interceptions per 90 and is comfortably clear for clearances. Maguire has been resurgent in recent times for Man Utd and deserves his inclusion.
Winners: Harry Maguire & Marc Guehi
Left-back: Luke Shaw vs Josko Gvardiol
Just like on the right flank, the left sees a natural left-back go up against a centre-back by trade. However, it’s the centre-back who comes out on top this time, with Josko Gvardiol outshining Luke Shaw in every defensive category apart from clearances. Shaw has been far more active in the final third, with his 3.6 crosses per 90 particularly high when compared to Gvardiol (0.8). But the Croatian is the winner here — whether he’ll stay at left-back once Nico O’Reilly is fully fit remains to be seen, but he’s once again doing a great job deputising.
Winner: Josko Gvardiol
Defensive midfielders: Kobbie Mainoo vs Youri Tielemans vs Enzo Fernandez vs Elliot Anderson
Kobbie Mainoo is fully back in from the cold and has started all but one of Man Utd’s competitive games so far this season. The 21-year-old is the dominant force in this comparison when it comes to passing accuracy, aerial duel success, clearances and ball recoveries, showing just how effective he can be as a two-way midfielder at his best. Elliot Anderson has made a dynamic start to life at Man City, averaging 30.7 forward passes, 3.1 tackles and 2.3 interceptions per 90.
Winners: Kobbie Mainoo & Elliot Anderson
Right winger: Bryan Mbeumo vs Antoine Semenyo
Bryan Mbeumo has made a lively start to the season, scoring against both Ipswich and Everton. But while he is yet to score, Antoine Semenyo has been far more active overall. The Ghana international has two assists in three appearances, while he outperforms Mbeumo in all key metrics apart from shots on target and goals. The difference between dribbling numbers and fouls won is particularly stark.
Winner: Antoine Semenyo
No.10: Bruno Fernandes vs Rayan Cherki
Bruno Fernandes enjoyed a stunning, record-breaking 2025/26 season. He’s started this season in style, too, with a hat-trick and an assist against Ipswich. However, he cannot compare to what Rayan Cherki has been doing for Man City at this early stage. The France international provided two assists against Bournemouth and then netted a brace of his own against Crystal Palace, before creating three chances against Coventry as Man City ran out close 1-0 winners. From take-ons to chances created, Cherki’s per 90 metrics have left Fernandes in the dust so far.
Winner: Rayan Cherki
Left winger: Marcus Rashford vs Iliman Ndiaye
It’s been a fairly modest start to the season for both Marcus Rashford and new Man City signing Iliman Ndiaye. The latter registered an assist against Crystal Palace on the opening day when he was still an Everton player, but is yet to fully settle at the Etihad Stadium — though he’s only played once in the league and once in the Champions League for his new side.
Rashford has created 3.7 chances per 90 and has had far more success in his individual duels, so he wins the spot on the left here.
Winner: Marcus Rashford
Striker: Matheus Cunha vs Erling Haaland
Matheus Cunha has been a solid source of creativity at the start of this season for Man Utd, but he’s not a pure No.9 and, as such, isn’t producing elite striker output. Erling Haaland, however, is. He’s notched three goals in his first three appearances, while averaging 2.7 shots on target per 90.
There isn’t a striker in the league who would get in over Haaland.
Winner: Erling Haaland
