Manchester United welcome Manchester City to Old Trafford in the Premier League on Saturday lunchtime. Michael Carrick is the new man in the dugout for the hosts, while City arrive looking to keep their Premier League title hopes alive as they chase down Arsenal. Find our match preview and best bets below.
Best Bets & Predictions
| Our Prediction | Odds & Bookmaker | Confidence | Why We’re Backing It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester City to Win | 20/21 @ Bet365 (51.2%) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Manchester City may have had less time to prepare for this game, but they have become a very backable price at a shade under even money. Pep Guardiola’s side are unbeaten in their last 13 across all formats (W10 D3), and face a United team that has won just one of their last seven. City must win here to keep the pressure on Arsenal and their quality can shine through on Saturday lunchtime. |
| Under 3.5 goals & Under 3.5 cards | 9/4 @ Bet365 (30.8%) | ⭐⭐⭐ | Manchester City’s away matches have been rather low scoring, with only two of their last 18 matches against Premier League opposition featuring four or more goals. The last meeting between these to did not produce any cards and only one of the last five has seen more than four shown. |
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Season Form & Standings
Manchester United have turned to a familiar face, naming Michael Carrick as interim head coach until the end of the season, just over a week after Ruben Amorim’s dismissal. The former captain, now 44, steps back into the role for the second time, having previously overseen a brief but unbeaten three-match spell in late 2021. He returns seven months after leaving Middlesbrough and inherits a side sitting seventh in the Premier League, only three points off the top four despite managing just one win in their last six games.
Carrick’s first task won’t be easy. United come into this run after a string of draws, followed by FA Cup elimination at home to Brighton, a result that confirmed their shortest season since 1914–15. With looming fixtures against Manchester City and Arsenal, history offers little comfort: United were beaten 3-0 by City earlier this season and have struggled to score in recent home derbies. Making a fast impact against the league’s elite will be a tough early test for the new man in charge.
Manchester City have shaken off a stuttering start to 2026 in emphatic fashion. After three straight league draws, Pep Guardiola’s side tore Exeter City apart 10-1 in the FA Cup before claiming a vital 2-0 away win over Newcastle in the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final. Momentum has clearly swung back in City’s favour.
New arrival Antoine Semenyo has been central to that surge, making an immediate impact since his £64m move from Bournemouth, with two goals and standout performances in both appearances. City are now unbeaten in 13 matches across all competitions, though the Premier League title race remains a challenge with Arsenal six points clear. As Guardiola prepares for his 31st Manchester derby, history suggests a tough contest awaits, as United remain one of the opponents to have troubled him most during his time in England.
How both teams go into Man Utd vs Man City
2025/26 season to date: Manchester City are second in the Premier League with 43 points from 21 matches (W13 D4 L4), scoring 45 and conceding 19. United have slipped to seventh, with 32 points from 21 (W8 D8 L5), scoring 36 and conceding 32. City’s superior goal difference (+26 to United’s +4) highlights their greater efficiency at both ends of the pitch.
| Team | Pos | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester City | 2 | 21 | 13 | 4 | 4 | 45 | 19 | +26 | 43 |
| Manchester United | 7 | 21 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 36 | 32 | +4 | 32 |
Head-to-Head
Last 6 Meetings
Manchester City have had the upper hand in recent derbies, winning three of the last six, including a comprehensive 3-0 at home this season. United have managed two wins, with one draw in that period.
| Date | Score | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| 14/09/25 | Man City 3-0 Man United | Premier League |
| 06/04/25 | Man United 0-0 Man City | Premier League |
| 15/12/24 | Man City 1-2 Man United | Premier League |
| 25/05/24 | Man City 1-2 Man United | FA Cup |
| 03/03/24 | Man City 3-1 Man United | Premier League |
Conclusion: Will City’s Ruthlessness Trump United’s Promise?
Manchester City may have featured in the League Cup midweek, but they still have the quality to get the better of this United side. Pep’s men won the fixture earlier this season 3-0 and another professional performance looks on the cards here. Back City to win at 20/21 looks a solid proposition.
Odds correct at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.
