City's three points from nine available so far are actually Pep Guardiola's worst-ever start to a Premier League season. If you look at City's last 38 games, equivalent to a full Premier League season, their lack of form compared to previous seasons is notable. They would actually find themselves in fourth position with just 65 points, 19 behind Liverpool, who have statistically been the best team over the past 38 matches.

City's woes have deepened with Omar Marmoush sustaining a knee injury while on international duty, and it's possible they will have as many as 10 players unavailable for this 'Super Sunday' fixture. What's more, in the entire time that Guardiola has spent at the Etihad Stadium, it's Man Utd that have inflicted a quarter of his 16 home defeats, including a smash-and-grab last December when Amad Diallo grabbed a late winner.

Away teams have been more successful in the derby over the last decade. Since 2015/16, the away side have won six of the 20 English top-flight games, with Crystal Palace vs Liverpool the only game that has more away wins (12) in that same period.

City lost their only previous league game at home this season, while United managed just a draw in their only away game. The visitors also haven't won away in the league since March 16th against Leicester City. A win on Sunday is imperative for either side, though for totally different reasons.

There were question marks surrounding whether Altay Bayindir would be replaced by new goalkeeping signing Senne Lammens, which could have had an impact on the game for both teams. However, manager Ruben Amorim confirmed on Friday that Turkish international Bayindir would start.

Bayindir has committed an error leading to a goal every 430 minutes, which is the most of any English top-flight keeper since August 2023. As a result, City might think long and hard about whether to pepper his goal from corners, as he has been known to flap at this type of set piece.

Gianluigi Donnarumma is likely to debut in goal for City, and had Lammens done so for United, it would have been only the third time in Premier League history where both clubs have given a debut to goalkeepers in the same game.

It's worth pointing out that Donnarumma, should he start, could be the busier of the two custodians too, as United have had the most shots (58) in the Premier League this season - 14 more than any other side. Amorim may also be keen to use Bryan Mbeumo's ability to get in behind City's defence, which have gone walkabout on remarkably regular occasions this season.

Balls over the top have been a real problem for Guardiola's side, and as a result, they have given up more chances (five) than any other team in the division in 2025/26. United have actually made the most runs (131) in behind the opponent's defence this season, and it's Mbeumo who has had the most of any player (54), despite not really capitalising on that so far.

Bruno Fernandes is also likely to have a say in the outcome of this one, too. United's captain has scored in the last three wins over City, including keeping his nerve when taking an 88th-minute penalty at the Etihad last season, whilst he's also created the most chances (12) in the Premier League this season.

Another fascinating encounter is therefore in prospect with no real favourite to choose from.