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Man City Stun Rivals in Dominant Display: Could This Signal a New Era for the Derby?

Man City Stun Rivals in Dominant Display: Could This Signal a New Era for the Derby?

Phil Foden finally ended his Premier League goal drought with a thunderous header from Jeremy Doku’s pinpoint cross at the 18-minute mark, giving Manchester City the lifeline they so desperately needed after a tough spell of back-to-back losses. It felt like a sigh of relief echoing around the Etihad, breaking an eight-month scoring silence that had been haunting the young talent. Meanwhile, the defensive frailties on the Manchester United side were laid bare, with sharp criticism from pundits like Micah Richards and Roy Keane highlighting a worrying lapse that paved the way for City’s opener. As the game unfolded, Erling Haaland once again showcased why the made the Manchester derby his personal stage—twice finding the net with finishers as smooth as silk, reinforcing his reputation as a ruthless goal machine. City’s dominance was palpable and now, as they prepare to host Napoli in the Champions League, the momentum couldn’t be more crucial. On the other hand, United face a stern test against Chelsea this weekend, hoping to arrest their slide. It’s been a rollercoaster scene with both teams wrestling through injuries, lineup shuffles, and emotional tributes, including a poignant moment for the late boxing legend Ricky Hatton. Dive into the full drama, stats, and tactical breakdowns right here. LEARN MORE

Phil Foden headed in Jeremy Doku’s cross in the 18th minute to end his wait of almost eight months for a Premier League goal and put the hosts on course to end a run of two straight defeats.

Haaland collected Doku’s pass and clipped a deft finish past goalkeeper Altay Bayindir from inside the box on the left eight minutes after the break, then charged on to Bernardo Silva’s pass beyond the halfway line, entered the penalty area on the right and stroked in City’s third with 22 minutes remaining.

City are next in action at home to Napoli in the Champions League on Thursday (20:00 BST / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT).

United host Chelsea in the league on Saturday (17:30 / 12:30 / 09:30).

Table of Contents

Man City vs Man United: Haaland goals

Haaland might have had his second sooner, only to go around Bayindir and hit a post with a close-range finish shortly after the two-time Premier League top scorer’s first goal.

The 25-year-old has 50 goals in 50 home league games, a landmark only reached quicker by all-time Premier League top scorer Alan Shearer at Newcastle.

For Amorim, a record of 16 defeats and eight wins in 31 Premier League matches makes for grim reading and his side have now drawn one and lost three of their four away games in all competitions in 2025/26, including that humiliating EFL Cup exit at fourth-tier Grimsby Town.

City debutant Gianluigi Donnarumma sprang swiftly into action to tip a Bryan Mbeumo volley away after the second goal on an emotional day for Manchester and British sport.

The Etihad Stadium paid tribute before kick-off to hugely popular boxing champion, City fan and local resident Ricky Hatton, whose death was announced earlier in the day.

Man City team vs Man United

New signing Donnarumma replaced England’s James Trafford for City.

The Cityzens were without forward Omar Marmoush, who was forced in Egypt’s World Cup qualifier away to Burkina Faso on Tuesday.

Omar Marmoush of Manchester City

Marmoush suffered a knee injury in the 0-0 draw and was absent alongside midfielders Rayan Cherki and Mateo Kovacic and wideman Rayan Ait-Nouri.

Defender John Stones remained out after withdrawing from England duty for the recent qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia. Foden was not selected for those games.

Haaland, who required stitches following a freak incident involving the door of the team bus while away with Norway, started after netting five goals for his country in an 11-1 demolition of Moldova on Tuesday.

Man City starting XI: Gianluigi Donnarumma, Abdukodir Khusanov, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, Nico O’Reilly, Rodri, Tijjani Reijnders, Bernardo Silva, Jeremy Doku, Phil Foden, Erling Haaland

Man City substitutes: James Trafford, Nathan Ake, Nico O’Reilly, Savinho, Matheus Nunes, Oscar Bobb, Divine Mukasa, Rico Lewis, Stephen Mfuni

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Man United starting line-up vs Man City

Forward Matheus Cunha and midfielder Mason Mount were out for United with injuries suffered during their 3-2 home win over Burnley on August 30.

Centre-back Lisandro Martinez remained sidelined with a long-term knee injury and full-back Diogo Dalot was unavailable after withdrawing from Portugal’s squad last week with a muscle injury.

With goalkeeper Andre Onana now on loan to Turkish side Trabzonspor, manager Ruben Amorim stuck with Bayindir rather than turning to new signing Senne Lammens.

Man United starting XI: Altay Bayindir, Noussair Mazraoui, Leny Yoro, Matthijs De Ligt, Luke Shaw, Patrick Dorgu, Manuel Ugarte, Bruno Fernandes, Amad Diallo, Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko

Man United substitutes: Tom Heaton, Senne Lammens, Tyler Fredricson, Ayden Heaven, Diego Leon, Harry Maguire, Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo, Joshua Zirkzee

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