Sunday’s Manchester derby at the Etihad promises to be decided by fine margins and four individual contests look set to shape the outcome.

Stopping Erling Haaland will be Manchester United’s first priority. Ruben Amorim has had a fortnight to prepare a plan, but the burden may fall on Matthijs de Ligt. De Ligt appears more secure in the middle of United’s three centre backs than in a wider role, with Leny Yoro and Luke Shaw offering protection. The Dutchman has the physicality and speed to compete with City’s No.9, but Haaland demands unwavering concentration from first kick to last. Haaland carries an excellent record versus United, with six goals and three assists in eight appearances, and he arrives in devastating form after scoring six goals over the international break and already having three in the league.

The injury Omar Marmoush suffered on international duty has opened the door for Jérémy Doku to make a rare Premier League start. Doku’s pace and directness present a real test down City’s left against a United defence that has not kept a clean sheet this term. Noussair Mazraoui is likely to start at right wing back given Diogo Dalot’s injury and Amad Diallo’s attacking mindset. Mazraoui will need to be disciplined and relentless in his pressure to limit Doku’s impact.

Bruno Fernandes is expected to operate in a more advanced role with Matheus Cunha absent through injury, and United’s attacking play will flow through their skipper. Fernandes has created 12 chances in three Premier League games. Rodri, who made his first league start in almost a year against Brighton & Hove Albion before the international break, will be tasked with smothering Fernandes and Bryan Mbeumo when they drop between the lines. The Ballon d’Or winner’s control of midfield could determine which side controls the final third.

Benjamin Šeško is set to make his first Premier League start after injuries to Cunha and Mason Mount. He will face Rúben Dias, likely partnered by Nathan Aké. Dias’s composure and leadership are vital for a City defence that has looked exposed early in the season, and his handling of Šeško will be key.

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.

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.