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).

Ruben Amorim has insisted Manchester United are a stronger side now than when they beat Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium nine months ago. That victory, secured by late goals from Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo to make it 2–1, remains a high point amid an otherwise mixed record under Amorim.

Across 30 Premier League outings, Amorim has recorded eight wins, seven draws and 15 defeats. The raw numbers read: Played 30, Won 8, Drawn 7, Lost 15, Goals Scored / Goals Against 36 / 46 (-10), Win Percentage 26.67. Despite that ledger, Amorim pointed to measurable progress and expects his team to produce against a City side managed by Pep Guardiola.

“It’s a top team with the best coach in the league,” Amorim said. “A team that is really hard to imagine how they are going to play. They change all the time. But we are prepared for that.

“And we believe in our team. And I have that feeling. So it will be a very good game. We know what to do, we have one more training. The table, in the moment, it doesn’t matter. I’m just worried about maintaining the same principles. The way we fight for every ball. The small details that sometimes we drop a little bit. Not in these games.

“So I’m more comfortable in these kinds of games. But we will be ready against a very, very good team.

“I think we are a better team. Any aspect, if you see the data, we are a different team. We are ready to play the game. But we have to show onside. So I think we are a better team.”

Amorim has had substantial backing in the transfer market with both arrivals and departures. He now faces the ultimate test of that investment when United meet a City side who spent £150 million this summer and have suffered early defeats to Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton & Hove Albion.

There has also been focus on Kobbie Mainoo. Mainoo explored a loan move to seek regular minutes but ultimately remained at the club. He is one of only four academy players left in the first-team squad, alongside 39-year-old goalkeeper Tom Heaton, Tyler Fredicson and Chido Obi. United have included an academy graduate in every matchday squad since October 1937, a run Amorim made clear he intends to protect: “I don’t want to be the guy that broke that record. If you see the past of Manchester United, it’s built on kids that grew up here and stayed here for a long time. I think that should be our goal in the future. So I will try to maintain that.”