Sunday’s Manchester derby brings two squads packed with top-level talent together for a fixture that asks difficult selection questions. With both teams naming players fit and available, this combined XI picks the individuals who most clearly make the case to start.

Gianluigi Donnarumma could debut in the Manchester derby following his move to the Etihad and will prove a sizeable upgrade on James Trafford, who has endured a mixed start to the season on his return to the club. Given United’s current goalkeeping woes, this one isn’t even close.

At right back the pick goes to Noussair Mazraoui. He has proven to be incredibly reliable for United, often outperforming his more illustrious teammates. Diogo Dalot’s yo-yo form has been particularly unhelpful, and the Moroccan also sees off City’s Rico Lewis and Matheus Nunes for a place in the XI.

Rúben Dias remains one of the game’s best centre backs. He still offers composure, leadership and positional intelligence, reasons behind the new contract he signed in the summer. Leny Yoro has made an encouraging start to the current campaign; he is United’s best available centre back and has the potential to blossom into one of the world’s top defenders. The Frenchman is mature beyond his years.

Joško Gvardiol’s versatility has been prized at City. He can operate at centre back and left back, and occupies the left side here. Rayan Aït-Nouri is injured and Patrick Dorgu is not at the Croatian’s level. Gvardiol is a commanding physical presence, surprisingly quick for his frame, and has an eye for goal from set pieces and open play.

In midfield the Ballon d’Or winner’s injury derailed City’s 2024–25 campaign. The Spaniard remains the best defensive midfielder on the planet. Rodri is the easiest of picks. Bruno Fernandes’ character divides opinion but his talent doesn’t. The midfielder’s commitment to United is admirable and his passion palpable.

Tijjani Reijnders has already offered an insight into his outstanding quality following his move to the Etihad. One of the Premier League’s finest debuts saw him demolish Wolverhampton Wanderers and he was similarly effective at the FIFA Club World Cup. The Dutchman oozed class at Milan.

Up front Bryan Mbeumo brings relentless output. He has two goals since joining the Red Devils and last season recorded 20 goals and seven Premier League assists. Jérémy Doku fills the attacking vacancy left by injuries to Omar Marmoush and Matheus Cunha; the fleet-footed Belgian uses his speed to get past full backs. Erling Haaland provides the centre forward role. He is an undeniable goalscorer and colossal presence in the final third, continuing to topple records with each passing season.

Ruben Amorim has confirmed Altay Bayındır will keep his place in goal for Manchester United’s trip to Manchester City on Sunday. The decision leaves Lammens waiting for his chance, despite expectations he might move straight into the first team.

“Altay is going to continue,” Amorim said in his pre-match press conference .

Amorim underlined the adjustment required for a goalkeeper arriving in the Premier League and the value he places on experience. “It is a different league, different country, different ball. I know that we are in the moment that the goalkeeper needs to be really strong and have a lot of experience.

“It is a different league, different country, different ball. I know that we are in the moment that the goalkeeper needs to be really strong and have a lot of experience.”

The manager also spoke about the club’s need for stability since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013 and how individual players have often struggled amid change. On the subject of a transformational signing in goal, Amorim referenced Edwin van der Sar’s arrival in 2005.

“We had a situation in the past with goalkeepers where we spent a lot of time trying to get a goalkeeper and then Edwin van der Sar came and was like a different player in that position,” Amorim said.

Asked who might follow in Van der Sar’s footsteps, Amorim backed Bayındır to take a step forward. “This week I hope to see Altay Bayindir doing well like Van der Sar. Then in the future, they have to fight for the places. We as a team can help the goalkeepers be better. We are doing that.”

The Turkish international faces a significant challenge at the Etihad. Bayındır has started the first three games of the season and has yet to keep a clean sheet. A mistake in the season opener against Arsenal allowed Riccardo Calafiori to score what proved to be the winner, and United have collected four points from a possible nine so far.

André Onana, before leaving, made two errors against Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup second round as they were shockingly upset by the League Two side on penalties .

Man City vs. Man Utd kicks off Sunday, Sept. 14 at 16:30 BST (11:30 a.m. ET).

Arsenal returned to the top of the Premier League, if only briefly, after a 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest at the Emirates Stadium. The scoreline was emphatic, but the broader talking point was the balance and options available to Mikel Arteta.

“You saw the strength and depth, the substitutes they brought on, whether it’s Myles Lewis-Skelly, Nwaneri, Rice, Martinelli, Trossard. They are now a proper squad and they will be a real threat,” former Rangers and Scotland striker Ally McCoist mused after the full-time whistle at the Emirates Stadium.

The bench supplied genuine quality. Declan Rice was given a breather following international duty, while familiar faces such as Martinelli and Trossard provided experienced cover. Eberechi Eze, whose £60 million transfer from Crystal Palace was one of the main talking points as the summer window drew to a close, started for the first time in red and white and caught the eye.

“Eze is starting to purr, you’re seeing the touches, you’re seeing the flicks,” Arsenal legend Martin Keown told TNT Sports post-match. “And above all else, you’re seeing a winning performance from Arsenal and I think that’s a huge message that Arsenal are better equipped this time around.

“That was a real scary show of strength from Arsenal today with the quality of player. You’ve been without [Kai] Havertz and [Bukayo] Saka unavailable and that was a problem for Arsenal last season, but not this.”

Viktor Gyökeres, another big summer signing for Arsenal, singled out Eze and a fellow new arrival. “Those two are amazing in their positions, they always do something special. We definitely saw that today,” the Swede remarked in his post-match interview.

Arsenal were missing several regulars. William Saliba watched from the sideline as he recovers from an ankle injury, and captain Martin Ødegaard lasted just 18 minutes before a flare up of a past shoulder complaint forced him off. His replacement was Nwaneri, the teenager who impressed again.

“They’ve signed some great players. Eze and Madueke at times were unplayable,” Peter Crouch enthused. “I thought the luxury to rest Rice, Merino and Zubimendi were so comfortable in there, such technical footballers. They gave a good account of themselves. A great day for Arsenal.”

The win offered a clear signal of squad strength, and it leaves the question of whether that depth will sustain Arsenal across a long season.