There are many things that Manchester City and Manchester United have in common - but one thing decisively separates them this season.
Based just five miles apart and united by a shared desire to return to the top of the Premier League, their gameplans are almost diametrically opposed.
The best teams in the world often play in similar ways, as demonstrated in last season's Champions League final between between Paris St-Germain and ******* nal - teams who use similar shapes, look to dominate the ball, and encourage rotations into fixed positions.
But looking ahead to Sunday's Manchester derby, expect to see City boss Enzo Maresca and his United counterpart Michael Carrick field teams teams that play in a totally different way to each other.
In short, City use a rigid structure with players precisely positioned, while United have a more fluid approach that has some positional guidelines but allows players the freedom to roam - here is how it works in detail.

#league #similar

Manchester United host Manchester City at Old Trafford on Sunday in the first Manchester derby of the season, with Enzo Maresca's league leaders looking to maintain a perfect start to the campaign against a United side sitting 11th on four points.
Both clubs arrive on the back of Champions League wins in midweek, City beating Porto 2-0 and United thrashing debutants Sabah 4-0. Michael Carrick, who took permanent charge of United since first winning this exact fixture as interim boss in January, has won nine of his 10 Premier League home matches in his second spell at the club and is looking to become the first United manager in 113 years to win both of his opening derbies in the league.
City, meanwhile, have won their first three league games this season and would set an outright record for most consecutive opening-day wins to a Premier League campaign with victory on Sunday. The match kicks off at 16:30 and will be shown live in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League.
Date: Sunday, 13 September 2026
Kick-off: 16:30 BST

#premier #sports

Barcelona star Alejandro Balde remains outside the plans of head coach Hansi Flick as things stand. This comes with the Spaniard having been knocked well down the left-back pecking order in Catalunya's capital.
Defender Balde was of course heavily linked with a move away from Barcelona during the summer transfer window.
After it was widely reported that the Spaniard had been made available for the right price, Premier League giants Manchester United were hotly tipped as a potential landing spot.
In the end, Balde stayed put, eager to fight for his place in the plans of long-time employers Barca. But as alluded to above, as of this moment, the 22-year-old has not managed to win back the trust of his manager.
As per a report from Diario Sport, following the breakout of youngster Xavi Espart, and permanent signing of João Cancelo:

#Barcelona #plans #back

The Manchester City squad is "buying into the idea" of new manager Enzo Maresca, says new captain Ruben Dias.
City spent a Premier League record £458m during the recent transfer window, with incomings including midfield trio Enzo Fernandez, Elliot Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi.
But there weren't only major changes to the playing squad. Maresca replaced the legendary Pep Guardiola, who stepped down at the end of last season after 10 years in charge.
Maresca was previously ******* istant to the Spaniard at Etihad Stadium, before spells at Leicester City and Chelsea.
Dias said Guardiola's departure was not an "easy moment for the club", while Maresca was the "perfect person for the job" as he "knew the house so well".

#dias #ruben

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Manchester United U18s travelled to the North East on Saturday afternoon to take on Newcastle United U18s.
Heading into the match, Newcastle had won four out of four and were sure to be a tough test for Darren Fletcher's side, who have been in scintillating form.
United were on a three-match winning streak of their own, with a combined score of 11-0.
Both sides felt each other out in the opening stages, with neither team committing forward, leaving little ****** e for openings in attack. United's first chance came through a long-range effort from Jaume Camacho, but George Mair saved comfortably enough.

#newcastle

Manchester United supporters' group have revealed how they will protest during Sunday's Manchester derby.
The Red Army said there will be no flag display ahead of the game as part of a protest which follows the club's investigation into ticket touting.
United revealed they had banned 685 season tickets following a contentious probe which had been condemned by many, with protests already planned for Sunday afternoon.
The Red Army said they will make their own views known by removing their regular flag display in the Stretford End and replacing it with a single banner above the players' tunnel. It will read: "The way you treat us is a disgrace."
In a statement, the group said: "This isn't a 'TRA' message, it's a message on behalf of every genuine fan group, match-going supporter, supporters' club and fan representative who has either contacted us directly or been negatively impacted by the recent behaviour of the club.

#flag

Chelsea return to Stamford Bridge on Saturday looking to respond to last weekend's defeat at ****** nal, but Hull City will offer a very different kind of test.
Xabi Alonso's side have scored eight goals in their opening three Premier League games and followed that with a 6-3 League Cup win over Leeds in midweek. Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and João Pedro have already become the main attacking reference points, while Chelsea have scored inside the opening five minutes in all three of their league matches.
Hull, though, have built their impressive start in almost the opposite way.
Sergej Jakirović's newly-promoted side have taken seven points from games against Manchester United, Coventry and Aston Villa without conceding a goal. They remain the only Premier League team yet to be breached this season.
The clean sheets do not mean Hull have dominated games. They had just 26.5% possession against Villa and have regularly been happy to defend in a compact 5-4-1, give the opposition the ball and wait for opportunities to counter. Goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis has already played more passes into the opposition half than any other Hull player, which says plenty about their willingness to go direct.

#games #villa #scored #opening

Led by Elliot Anderson, reloaded Man City midfield gets first chance to impress in Manchester derby originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Manchester City were one of the biggest spenders in the free-wheeling 2026 summer transfer window, as the Premier League side made a host of big-money moves ahead of the current season.
Always known as one of the most lavish clubs in the world with their transfer budget, they went especially big this summer as they looked to refurbish the squad in a period of transition after the departure of legendary manager Pep Guardiola.
The club mainly focused on the central midfield position, where multiple key players departed and an immediate refresh was needed to keep the club's levels up.
With the new players now slotting into their established roles and Enzo Maresca's system beginning to become evident, Sunday's Manchester derby at Old Trafford is the perfect showcase for all the pieces to finally come together.

#manchester #transfer #players

David Moyes has made it clear, Jack Grealish is in line to start for Everton against Tottenham this weekend. After a short outing from the bench in the recent defeat to Manchester United, the Everton manager believes the 31-year-old is now ready for a bigger role.
That matters, because Everton need quality and they need it quickly. Their transfer window closed with more frustration than progress. Grealish returned on loan for a second straight season, but the late collapse of a move for Monaco striker Folarin Balogun left Moyes with a squad short on numbers and light on attacking options.
Moyes did not overcomplicate the issue. "I think Jack is special – I think he is ready to play, yes," said Moyes. "I think Jack is probably a boy who needs the football [matches] more than he needs the training sometimes."
That sums up Grealish well enough. He is a rhythm player. He needs minutes, contact, pressure, and repetition. Training helps, but matches sharpen him. Moyes sees that clearly and added: "I think game time helps Jack. In ways, that's him still building up to his best but, I've got to say, he's had a good week of training and he's beginning to look ready to start."
Photo IMAGO

#everton #training #short

Manchester United forward Matheus Cunha tips his teammate and compatriot Andrey Santos to turn heads this season.
The defensive midfielder was the club's first summer signing, completing a transfer from Chelsea for £48 million.
The Brazilian was later followed by another two midfielders in the shape Youri Tielemans and Carlos Baleba, as the Red Devils completely revamped the department.
(Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
Thanks to his relatively early arrival, Santos was a mainstay in Michael Carrick's starting lineup in pre-season, forming a solid partnership with Mason Mount prior to the latter's injury.

#matheus

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After an impressive 4-0 victory over Sabah on Thursday, Manchester United will be back in action this Sunday against fierce rivals Manchester City.
In one of the most anticipated matches of the season, fans will be keen to see when and where they can follow the match around the globe.
In the United Kingdom and Ireland, the match will be broadcast on Sky Sports and will kick off at 16:30 BST local time.
In countries such as Spain and Portugal, the game will be shown on DAZN and will start at 17:30 in Spain and 16:30 in Portugal.

#manchester #spain #sabah #sunday

Richarlison still has suitors despite failed move, Philippe Coutinho agrees Santos deal and Manchester United monitor Adrien Truffert.
Clubs remain interested in Brazil forward Richarlison, 29, after the collapse of his proposed move from Tottenham to Vasco da Gama. (UOL - in Portuguese)
Former Brazil forward Philippe Coutinho has agreed to spend three months with Santos as the 34-year-old, once of Liverpool and Aston Villa, decides whether he wants to keep playing having been a free agent since February when he left Vasco da Gama. (Globo - in Portuguese)
Manchester United are closely monitoring Bournemouth's Adrien Truffert, the 24-year-old France left-back who is valued at £60m. (Teamtalk)
Liverpool remain keen on Inter Milan's Aleksandar Stankovic after making an enquiry about the 21-year-old Serbia midfielder this summer. (Teamtalk)

#truffert

NEW DELHI: Former India cricketer Ajinkya Rahane believes Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's time will come, but feels India should currently stick with the top-three combination that delivered the 2026 T20 World Cup ******* le, backing Sanju Samson to reclaim his place alongside Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan for the upcoming T20I series against Afghanistan.

Samson, who was named Player of the Tournament during India's triumphant T20 World Cup campaign, was dropped after a string of low scores on the tour of England. Sooryavanshi was subsequently handed his international debut in Manchester and also opened during the T20Is against Zimbabwe.

With Samson now recalled for the three-match home series against Afghanistan, beginning at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Sunday, Rahane believes the experienced batter should return to the top order.

"I feel the top three should be the same that played in the World Cup. Samson has done well, but he got dropped after two or three bad innings. I want him to get another chance. Abhishek and Ishan also did well for us," Rahane said in a video on his YouTube channel on Friday.

"Vaibhav will get his opportunities, and his time will come. But for now, I feel the top three should be Samson, Abhishek, and Ishan, who were our contributors in the World Cup," he added.
Rahane welcomed Samson's return while pointing to the batter's impact during India's World Cup-winning campaign.

"I am happy to see Sanju Samson back in the team. He was the 'Man of the Series' in the World Cup. It has been up and down, and things were happening to him that were not in his control. But he is a match-winner, and his return strengthens the team," Rahane said.

For Sooryavanshi, Rahane's message was one of patience and freedom. The 15-year-old has made a rapid rise through domestic and franchise cricket, but the former India batter believes the teenager should not overthink his early international career.

"I think he should just play his game right now. He should back the game that led him to come into the Indian team. It is a very early stage for him in his career and in international cricket," Rahane said.

"As of now, there is no need for him to think a lot, and he should be set free. His game will eventually change after two or three years, as much as he keeps playing. It will be important for him to maintain balance. Apart from cricket skills, it is important to stay balanced off the field. That will be a challenge for him."
Sooryavanshi has already provided plenty of evidence of his ability. During the Duleep Trophy, he became the youngest player to score a half-century in the competition, reaching the landmark at 15 years and 175 days.

He made 92 off 81 ******* for East Zone, reaching his fifty from just 42 deliveries and breaking a 57-year-old record previously held by Laxman Singh, who was 16 years and 23 days old when he scored his Duleep Trophy fifty in 1969.

Rahane believes the teenager's next challenge is not

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For most who watched Manchester United's pre-season friendlies, one thing stood out clearly: in Andrey Santos, the club had signed an exceptionally talented midfielder.
The Brazilian proved an instant hit. He brought composure and **** urance to the engine room, constantly demanded the ball, dropped deep to receive it, and displayed an impressive passing range.
Many United fans also noted the excellent understanding he quickly developed with Mason Mount. Together, they formed a lively and effective partnership in the middle of the park.
Both having missed the World Cup and featuring heavily throughout pre-season, a Mount-Santos midfield looked the natural choice for Michael Carrick at the start of the campaign, while he gradually eased Kobbie Mainoo and Youri Tielemans into the side. However, Mount picked up an injury that derailed those plans.

#season

As we head into Gameweek 4 of the 2026/27 Fantasy Premier League season, making the right armband choice is critical for solidifying early-season rank gains.
With prime fixtures on the horizon – including heavy hitters facing vulnerable defenses and high-flying budget **** ets continuing to shock the league – selecting the right captain can make or break your weekend.
Here is a breakdown of the top GW4 FPL captaincy pick options to help you make the ultimate decision.
Despite playing away at Old Trafford in the Manchester derby, Erling Haaland remains the undisputed premier option among game week 4 FPL captain picks.
Manchester United's backline has looked shaky to start the campaign, surrendering six goals in their opening three league matches.

#league #captain

Manchester United boss Michael Carrick has dismissed Elliot Anderson's jibe that City are "kings of Manchester" ahead of Sunday's derby.
Already trailing five points behind their bitter rivals, United will face Manchester City at Old Trafford with Anderson's taunt ringing in their ears.
Anderson joined City from Nottingham Forest for £116 million ($156 million) in the close-season after United refused to enter a bidding war for the England midfielder.
The 23-year-old can expect a hostile reception from United fans after adding fuel to the Manchester rivalry.
"For as long as I've known Manchester, City have been the kings of Manchester," Anderson said following his arrival at the Etihad Stadium.

#anderson #kings #already

Spanish World Cup-winner Juan Mata on Friday opted against playing another season with Australian side Melbourne Victory, but stopped short of calling time on his career.
The former Manchester United and Chelsea ace has enjoyed a late-career resurgence and was voted the domestic A-League player of the year in 2025-26.
But the 38-year-old has decided not to play on at the club as he mulls "the next steps in his career".
He will remain involved with the Australian side after taking an ownership stake.
"I loved every minute and so greatly enjoyed everything that we achieved last season, falling back in love with football at such a special place, in an amazing city that it was a privilege to call home," Mata said.

#season

Owen Hargreaves couldn't speak highly enough of Kobbie Mainoo ahead of Manchester United's clash with Sabah last night.
The midfielder (unsurprisingly) retained his starting spot for United's Champions League opener and played just over an hour as the Reds cruised to a comfortable win on home soil.
(Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Mainoo was eventually replaced by summer signing Andrey Santos in the 64th minute, while Benjamin Sesko simultaneously made way for Joshua Zirkzee for his first appearance of the season.
When United got their Premier League campaign underway last month, the 21-year-old started on the bench for the opening fixture against Hull City.

#mainoo #last #sabah

Unlike many of his players, Michael Carrick has personal experience of the special nights at Old Trafford in the Champions League. This was scarcely one of them, but if Carrick had compiled a list of things he wanted from the evening, this must have ticked nearly every box. A perfect night? "Yeah, I think so," he said.
The fixture list made it a low-key comeback to the Champions League but Carrick was able to rest four players ahead of the Manchester derby, take off five more and chalk up a comfortable win. "Some of the football we played was really good," said Carrick. "We just did a lot of good things." Some players benefited. Matheus Cunha, who was fortunate to avoid a late red card for a studs-up challenge on Erivaldo Almeida, surely needed his first goal of the season. Benjamin Sesko marked his first start of the campaign with a second goal in a week.
Bruno Fernandes was instrumental as United put four past Sabah (Reuters)
In a sense, though, the most meaningful goal came from Bruno Fernandes. The captain was nominated for the Ballon d'Or even after a campaign when United were not in any continental competition. He showed a loyalty to United during their European exile. More than any other player, he dragged them back into the Champions League. It was fitting he scored on their return. Fernandes being Fernandes, it was also typical he was not among the rested or the removed.
Carrick has rarely needed to rotate since he took charge. Given this season's greater workload, this was something of a learning exercise. Patrick Dorgu played left-back for the first time under Carrick, excelled in attack and played a part in the first two goals, but revealed defensive deficiencies. Noussair Mazraoui, brought back in for Diogo Dalot, seemed to have a point to prove and looked lively going forward. A fit-again Mason Mount made a belated first appearance of the campaign in the second half. Andrey Santos, dropped after his ill-fated debut at Hull, got the final half-hour. The youngsters Harry Amass and Shea Lacey appeared for the last 20 minutes.

#league #played

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Manchester United have struggled to keep out goals this season after opting against reinforcing their backline over the summer. The Red Devils have already conceded six goals in their opening three Premier League games.
The English giants are likely to consider defensive reinforcements in 2027 after concentrating almost entirely on the midfield this summer. A new centre-back could be on the agenda, with Harry Maguire no longer young and Matthijs de Ligt sidelined since last December.
A previous report relayed by The Peoples Person has named Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu as a solution to United's defensive woes. The Frenchman is coming off a solid 2025/26 campaign, during which he registered two goals and seven **** ists in 49 appearances.
Kalulu has featured at centre-back as well as right-back for the Bianconeri so far and his versatility makes him a lucrative option for the Red Devils. An update on the situation has now emerged that will delight United fans.

#summer #centre #manchester #premier

Enzo Maresca faces his first major test since stepping into Pep Guardiola's shoes as City visit United in the Manchester derby on Sunday, while ******* nal aim to extend their flawless start at Sunderland.
Alongside last season's top two, only newly-promoted Hull remain unbeaten but their brilliant start faces an acid test against Xabi Alonso's free-scoring Chelsea.
At the other end of the table, Fulham have yet to register a point under Alvaro Arbeloa ahead of their tough trip to Liverpool.
AFP Sport looks at three talking points ahead of the weekend's action:
Haaland hungry for more

#enzo

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Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick praised Benjamin Sesko's role in the team as he outlined what sets the striker apart.
Sesko scored United's third of a 4-0 victory over Sabah in the Champions League on Thursday evening.
Matheus Cunha, Bruno Fernandes and Lisandro Martinez also got on the scoresheet. After the final whistle, Carrick spoke to reporters and shared his verdict on the game.
Carrick said of Sesko, "Definitely offers a different kind of threat."

#manchester #united #michael

Michael Carrick enjoyed Manchester United's perfect Champions League return against Sabah but is "pushing for more" with tougher tests around the corner.
Thursday night saw Old Trafford host a first match in European football's premier competition since December 2023 as the Red Devils faced a club that were only founded nine years ago.
United ran out comfortable 4-0 victors against Sabah, the champions of Azerbaijan, with Matheus Cunha, Bruno Fernandes and Benjamin Sesko scoring first-half goals.
Lisandro Martinez tapped home to complete a blemish-free start to the league phase for Carrick's men, who recorded their first clean sheet of the season having made a topsy-turvy start to the Premier League.
Asked if Thursday was the perfect way to kick off their long-awaited Champions League return, the United head coach said: "Yeah, I think so.

#first #premier #return #start

Ayyoub Bouaddi has handled everything thrown at him since joining Manchester City with remarkable composure - though his leisurely strolls may need rerouting after recent events.
The Moroccan midfielder has been able to traverse the city center's sidewalks over recent weeks, moving about unnoticed and unrecognized despite sealing an £85 million ($117 million) transfer from Lille. However, the teenager with a distinctive look can't remain incognito much longer after delivering an impressive performance in his maiden start for the Blues.
City shelled out a premium price for Bouaddi - exceeding what rival clubs were prepared to pay - because they were confident he could slot directly into a squad that lost Rodri and Bernardo Silva from their engine room during the summer window. The 18-year-old has been gradually integrated but entered the lineup for the UEFA Champions League fixture in Porto, replacing £116 million ($155.2 million) signing Elliot Anderson.
-Credit:NurPhoto, NurPhoto via Getty Images
While more experienced teammates around him struggled, Bouaddi provided a steadying influence from kickoff and moved effortlessly across the turf to give Enzo Maresca's squad command of proceedings. The manager was all smiles when questioned about the player postgame and joined a growing roster of those who've encountered Bouaddi in praising him as an exceptional prospect.

#manchester #lille

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Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes produced a sensational performance to help the team to a 4-0 victory over Sabah FK in their Champions League opener.
Matheus Cunha broke the deadlock for United inside 27 minutes when he supplied a delicate finish to Patrick Dorgu's delivery.
Fernandes doubled United's advantage 15 minutes later, rounding off a brilliant team move, with Youri Tielemans registering the first **** ist of his Old Trafford career. Benjamin Sesko then rounded off the goalkeeper to make it 3-0 just before the break.
Lisandro Martínez pounced on a scramble inside the box to add a fourth in the second half, removing any lingering uncertainty about the outcome.

#inside #minutes

Manchester United welcomed Sabah at Old Trafford earlier tonight as they hoped to secure a good result at home in the UEFA Champions League. The Red Devils made a good start to the game and scored the opener in the 27th minute thanks to Matheus Cunha's effort. Bruno Fernandes doubled his team's lead in the 42nd minute before Benjamin Sesko made it 3-0 to Man United in the 45th minute. Michael Carrick's men went into the half-time break with a comfortable three-goal lead.
Lisandro Martinez added another goal for the Mancunian team in the 68th minute. The match ended with Man United securing a dominant 4-0 win at the Theatre of Dreams.
Let's take a look at how each Manchester United player fared during the clash against Sabah.
GK: Senne Lammens – 7/10
He made one solid save at the back and did enough to keep a clean sheet.

#manchester #good #goal

Marcus Rashford looked set for a permanent move to Barcelona. The outline was there, the numbers were manageable and his loan spell had gone well. Then Barcelona walked away and spent £69m on Anthony Gordon instead. That tells you everything about what they think they need.
Rashford, now 28, had done his part. After leaving Manchester United on loan following his breakdown in relationship with Ruben Amorim, he delivered 14 goals and 14 **** ists in Catalonia. That is solid production by any measure. He also forced his way back into Thomas Tuchel's England plans for the World Cup and capped his season by scoring in the win over Real Madrid that sealed La Liga.
Ordinarily, that would be enough to trigger a £26m purchase option. Barcelona decided otherwise.
The explanation from sporting director Deco was direct and, frankly, sensible. Barcelona were grateful for Rashford's contribution, but they wanted a different profile. In his words for RAC1, "We are extremely grateful to Rashford. He contributed a lot last season, but our idea of play is much more linked to Anthony.
Photo IMAGO

#Barcelona #anthony #manchester

Crowe UK, an audit, tax, advisory and consulting practice, has welcomed 96 trainees as part of its 2026 intake.
The recruits will be based in Cheltenham, Kent, Manchester, London, the Midlands and the Thames Valley.
They will join teams covering tax, corporate audit, business advisory and accounting, social purpose and non-profit audit, and financial reporting.
According to a statement, the trainees will complete an induction programme during their first weeks at the company.
The induction programme is designed to introduce the new employees to Crowe's culture, values and working practices. It will also help the new starters connect with colleagues across the business.

#business #programme #cheltenham

Manchester United return to the Champions League at home and against a debutant in the competition. Will it be enough to celebrate by the end of Thursday?
Without Rashford, Maguire or Zirkzee in the starting eleven, this is how both clubs line up today at Old Trafford.
MANCHESTER UNITED: Lammens, Yoro, Li Martínez, Mazraoui, Dorgu, Tielemans, Mainoo, B. Fernandes, Cunha, Mbeumo, Šeško.
SABAH BAKU: Pokatilov, Dashdamirov, McCarthy, Zedadka, Puchacz, Lepinjica, Rahmonaliev, Nwachukwu, Parris, Simić, Mickels.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

#united #without

Manchester United's rocky start to the season in Michael Carrick's first campaign as permanent manager continues with a first game back in the Champions League.
The visitors at Old Trafford are Azerbaijani champions Sabah, just eight years after being founded.
LIVE! Follow all the action as Man United make their long-awaited Champions League return
Carrick will be desperate for a positive start to the league phase after another setback at Everton, following Ainsley Maitland-Niles's stoppage-time blockbuster.
And after a year outside of European competition, following the agonising Europa League final loss to Tottenham, United will be desperate to start working towards a top eight finish and automatic progress to the last 16.

#league #champions #first #following