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 United face the Manchester City derby this weekend with a string of injury concerns that could shape team selection. United arrived at the international break having secured their first victory of the season courtesy of a last‑gasp winner from Bruno Fernandes against Burnley, but earlier losses to Arsenal and Grimsby Town offered unwelcome reminders of the club’s fragile start.

Lisandro Martínez remains the only confirmed absentee, still sidelined after an ACL tear sustained in February. The Argentine has been on the grass at Carrington as he edges closer to a return, but no official date has been set for his first-team comeback.

Diogo Dalot is the latest concern after withdrawing from the Portugal squad for the September internationals against Armenia and Hungary. The Portuguese football association reported Dalot experienced some “muscle discomfort” during national team training. United’s head coach confirmed in his pre-match press conference that participation in the derby is out of the question for Dalot.

Mason Mount has returned to the treatment room following the narrow win over Burnley. He was withdrawn at half time in the 3–2 victory with an unspecified knock and the head coach said Mount had “played 30 minutes with an injury”. The precise extent of the problem remains unclear, though Mount has made an encouraging start to the season and the club will hope for a swift recovery.

Matheus Cunha was also forced off early in the Burnley game, lasting around half an hour before being substituted with a muscle problem. He subsequently withdrew from Brazil’s World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Bolivia.

Travelling supporters will be watching pre-match updates closely. With Martínez not yet available and Dalot, Mount and Cunha carrying doubts, selection choices for the derby could be heavily influenced by the medical assessments carried out in the days leading up to the fixture.

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.