The 2025/26 Premier League season’s first Manchester derby arrives with both giants seeking form.

The Premier League is set to witness one of its most anticipated fixtures as Manchester City host Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium on September 14, 2025.

This high-stakes Manchester derby, scheduled for a 18:30 kickoff, will be officiated by experienced referee Anthony Taylor.

Coming in the fourth round of the 2025/2026 Premier League season, this clash between the city rivals promises to deliver the usual blend of drama, intensity, and quality that has characterized this fixture over the years.

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Both Manchester clubs have made surprisingly sluggish starts to their Premier League campaigns.

City currently sit 13th in the table with just three points from their opening three matches, having scored five goals while conceding four. United are performing marginally better in 9th position, accumulating four points with an identical goal difference (four scored, four conceded).

The Citizens will be desperate to kickstart their season with a derby victory that could potentially lift them above their rivals, while the Red Devils have an opportunity to create a four-point gap over their neighbors with an away win. This early-season encounter could prove crucial in building momentum for either side’s title aspirations.

Manchester City enter this derby in concerning form, having lost their last two Premier League matches.

After an impressive 4-0 opening day victory at Wolverhampton Wanderers on August 16 (with Haaland scoring twice), Pep Guardiola’s men suffered a surprising 2-0 home defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on August 23, followed by another setback at Brighton & Hove Albion (2-1) on August 31, despite Haaland finding the net.

Manchester United have been slightly more consistent, remaining unbeaten in their last three domestic fixtures.

After losing their season opener to Arsenal (0-1) on August 17, the Red Devils drew 1-1 with Fulham on August 24, battled to a 2-2 draw with Grimsby in the EFL Cup on August 27, and secured their first league win by defeating Burnley 3-2 on August 30, with Mbeumo among the scorers. Both teams will view this derby as an opportunity to ignite their campaigns.

Erling Haaland remains Manchester City’s primary attacking threat, having already netted three goals in the opening three Premier League matches.

The Norwegian striker has been particularly dangerous in the first half of matches, with his expected goal statistics significantly higher before halftime.

Despite City’s mixed results, Haaland has maintained his scoring touch, registering a brace in the opening day victory at Wolves and finding the net in the defeat at Brighton. His 14 shots (5 on target) demonstrate his constant threat, though his effectiveness was notably limited in the home defeat to Tottenham where he managed just one attempt.

For Manchester United, summer signing Bryan Mbeumo has made an immediate impact, scoring once and proving to be a creative force with eight successful crosses in his first three league appearances.

The former Brentford forward was particularly impressive in United’s 3-2 victory over Burnley, where he scored and registered two shots on target.

Mbeumo has shown versatility in his attacking positions, creating chances from wide areas while also getting into dangerous scoring positions. His ability to deliver quality crosses could be crucial against City’s defense, especially if he can find space to exploit behind their full-backs.