Pep Guardiola and Ruben Amorim occupy contrasting points on the managerial timeline but have already met in high-profile fixtures that define a growing rivalry.

Amorim began his rise at Sporting CP before being appointed the Manchester United head coach. Their first notable encounter came in the 2021–22 Champions League last 16. Manchester City produced a one-sided first leg, taking a four-goal lead by half time thanks to a Bernardo Silva brace and strikes from Riyad Mahrez and Phil Foden. Raheem Sterling added a further goal after the break, leaving City with a five-goal advantage that effectively decided the tie.

The return leg at the Etihad Stadium was a goalless draw. Sporting kept their pride intact, frustrating City on a night of little consequence for the hosts, who progressed to the quarter-final despite failing to find their usual attacking fluency.

The pair met again in the league phase of the 2024–25 Champions League, this time with Sporting delivering a decisive response in Lisbon. Phil Foden gave City an early lead in the fourth minute, Viktor Gyökeres levelled before the interval and then converted two penalties after the restart. Maxi Araújo also scored as Sporting ran out 4-1 winners. The result marked a third successive defeat for Manchester City during a difficult spell and served as a memorable send-off from Amorim to the Sporting supporters shortly before his move to Old Trafford.

A little over a month later Amorim returned to the Etihad as Manchester United head coach. Joško Gvardiol opened the scoring for City in the first half, but United completed a late turnaround: an 88th-minute penalty from Bruno Fernandes and a 90th-minute strike from Amad Diallo secured a dramatic victory for the visitors and gave Amorim a dream Manchester derby debut.

There have not been dozens of meetings between the two men, yet each encounter has produced decisive moments that shape their head-to-head story.

Manchester City begin the Manchester derby carrying a sizeable injury list and a series of tentative return dates. Several first-team options are certain to miss the Red Devils visit, while others remain doubts after the September international break.

Joško Gvardiol has missed all three of City’s Premier League matches this season. He returned to light training in August and the Croatian posted on social media that he was back on the pitch, but he has not played since City’s FIFA Club World Cup exit at the beginning of July and it seems unlikely he would be thrust straight into the starting XI for the derby.

John Stones has started several matches this term and earned an England call-up but withdrew from the September internationals with a muscle issue. City declared that his withdrawal was a “precautionary measure” and that does not necessarily mean he will be available for the Manchester derby.

Khusanov was a surprise start against Brighton & Hove Albion and was withdrawn late in that defeat with a calf injury. Uzbekistan’s football association confirmed he would be missing for approximately two weeks, meaning the centre back could return for Sunday’s game.

Rico Lewis withdrew from England’s Under-21 squad with an unspecified injury. City are cautious with international call-ups, so that withdrawal seems unlikely to be serious. Nico O’Reilly also pulled out of England’s U21s with an unspecified knock; he has made only cameos this season but Guardiola suggested he could be available.

Rayan Aït-Nouri withdrew from Algeria duty after an injury suffered in the defeat to Tottenham Hotspur. He returned against Brighton but is a doubt with Guardiola saying he has not fully recovered from an ankle injury.

Mateo Kovačić is a confirmed absence after undergoing Achilles surgery in June; he missed the Club World Cup and the start of the Premier League term and is expected to return after the October international break, eased back into action.

Rayan Cherki faces roughly two months out, meaning a late October return if plans hold. Phil Foden has missed Wolverhampton Wanderers and Brighton and made only a cameo against Spurs; he could miss the derby though the break may have aided his recovery. Savinho has missed the season to date with a knock but has returned to training. Omar Marmoush suffered an injury on international duty and is also unavailable.

The Premier League returns on Saturday, Sept. 13 after the September international break, and Gameweek 4 could bring a series of first appearances for players who arrived on deadline day. With many newcomers away for World Cup qualifiers and international friendlies immediately after signing, this weekend offers fans an early chance to see them in club colours.

At Liverpool, Alexander Isak is the most high-profile candidate for a league debut. Isak came on for Sweden during the international break in an upset loss to Kosovo. His preseason was disrupted by a standoff with his former club, but manager Arne Slot has suggested the striker is part of a long-term plan and that Liverpool will manage his introduction. Hugo Ekitiké and Cody Gakpo are also in the squad and could influence selection.

Aston Villa completed two deadline arrivals and Unai Emery will be keen to get both Jadon Sancho and Harvey Elliott on the pitch quickly. Sancho left Manchester United after being peripheral to Ruben Amorim’s plans at United this summer and now has an opportunity to impress his new manager. Elliott departs Liverpool as a Premier League champion and could have extra motivation to prove himself.

Manchester City reshaped the goalkeeper department with the arrivals of Gianluigi Donnarumma, James Trafford and Marcus Bettinelli after Éderson moved to Fenerbahçe. Trafford’s difficult outing against Tottenham Hotspur during the window may have influenced City’s business. Donnarumma could be in line to stake a claim for the number one role, with the Manchester derby a possible debut stage.

Newcastle lost Alexander Isak and brought in Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa late in the window. Wissa scored 19 goals for Brentford last season while Woltemade netted 12 in the Bundesliga for VfB Stuttgart. Eddie Howe also added Anthony Elanga earlier in the summer, giving the club multiple attacking options.

Tottenham Hotspur reshaped their attack with Randal Kolo Muani and Xavi Simons. Kolo Muani can provide cover amid Dominic Solanke’s injury concerns and Simons is expected to play a creative role while James Maddison is set to miss a considerable period.

Below is a brief club-player list mentioned in this piece:
Arsenal: Piero Hincapié
Bournemouth: Veljko Milosavljević
Brentford: Reiss Nelson
Brighton & Hove Albion: Charalampos Kostoulas
Burnley: Florentino Luís
Chelsea: Alejandro Garnacho
Crystal Palace: Christantus Uche
Everton: Tyler Dibling
Fulham: Kevin
Manchester United: Senne Lammens
Nottingham Forest: Oleksandr Zinchenko
Sunderland: Lutsharel Geertruida
Wolverhampton Wanderers: Tolu Arokodare