Manchester City travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United in the 198th Manchester Derby.
The Blues are off the back of two fantastic results in the cups, beating Exeter City 10-1 in the FA Cup third
round and earning a hard fought 2-0 away victory against Newcastle United in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi final.
United meanwhile, are having another below par season, recently sacking manager Ruben Amorim after 15 months in the job and replacing him with former player Michael Carrick on an interim basis until the end of the season.
Here are five things to look out for in the Manchester Derby:
How will Carrick fair?
The big story heading into the game is Carrick’s first game as United’s official interim manager.
He had a brief stint as caretaker manager after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked in 2021, winning two and drawing one of his games before Ralf Ragnick was brought in for the rest of the season.
The former England midfielder then spent nearly three years managing Middlesborough, before he was sacked and replaced with Rob Edwards this summer.
His coaching credentials are decent, and he was a popular appointment with the fans having made 464 appearances for United. However, it will be tricky for him knowing that he probably won’t be in the job this time next year, knowing the Red Devils will be looking for an established manager to appoint this summer.
And when it comes to comparing him with Guardiola, there just aren’t any similarities. The City boss has experience and trophies to his name that 44-year-old Carrick hasn’t been able to accumulate yet.
It’s a big first test for the new United head coach, but one he’ll relish going up against the best in Guardiola and City.
Cherki on the bench but desperate for his revenge against United
I expect City to keep the team that won against Newcastle more or less the same, and that includes the front four.
Antoine Semenyo and Jeremy Doku both had excellent second halves, with the latter’s cross being turned home by the former with a touch from Bernardo Silva along the way to give City the lead.
Erling Haaland and Phil Foden haven’t been in great form of late, but they’re both big City fans and love a derby goal. Haaland in particular need not worry about his starting place, and I also expect Foden to start at number ten.
This means a place on the bench for Rayan Cherki. The Frenchman sparkled coming on against the Magpies and when signing for City, vowed for revenge against their biggest rivals.
Cherki was a part of the Lyon team that suffered an unbelievable comeback loss against Amorim’s side last season, so he’ll be itching to get one back at United at Old Trafford.
Semenyo x Doku wing pairing again
As mentioned above, I thought Doku and Semenyo both played excellently well against Newcastle.
Semenyo scored, and should’ve had a second if it wasn’t for a ridiculous VAR call to rule the goal out for offside.
Doku, meanwhile, gave Lewis Miley a tricky game and ultimately created the first goal even if not credited with the assist.
I expect them both to start against the Red Devils on Saturday morning, where they’ll be looking to get on the front foot and cause the defenders chaos.
Rodri starting
After resting in midweek (and considering City only have Bodo Glint on Tuesday) I think Rodri will start against United.
The 29-year-old is slowly but surely gaining more minutes as Guardiola eases him back into the side, as he missed last season with an ACL tear and the beginning of this year with subsequent muscle injuries.
But he started recent games against Chelsea and Exeter and gained significant minutes in every other game in 2026, so I think he’s ready to start again and rest for Nico Gonzalez on Tuesday night.
City feeling the pressure to end the slide
The last two results City have earned in the cups means people are forgetting the Blues have actually drawn three Premier League games in a row.
They were struggling to score goals before those two games, and looked leaky at the back with plenty of players missing through injury and those who were fit running on fumes.
They’ll feel pressure to keep up with Arsenal in the title race and to win on derby day for the fans, so it could be a nervy affair.
