Manchester Derby Preview: City Faces United Amidst Challenges
Manchester City enters this Sunday's crucial derby trailing rivals Manchester United by a single point, marking the start of a pivotal week for Pep Guardiola's squad.
The last time City approached a Manchester derby positioned below United in the league was in December 2020, when they occupied eighth place, just one spot behind their Old Trafford counterparts.
Recent troubles for United manager Ruben Amorim have been highlighted following a shocking Carabao Cup elimination at the hands of League Two side Grimsby, with club legend Wayne Rooney declaring that something is "broken" within the organization.
Despite this, United heads into the match with a boost of momentum after a dramatic last-minute victory against Burnley before the international break, while City has suffered consecutive defeats.
Guardiola's team finds itself in a challenging situation early in the season, prompting the manager to address issues before they escalate into a full-blown crisis.
When asked if the match holds greater significance for City or United, Guardiola told BBC Sport: "I am focused on ourselves. We always respect our city rivals. We returned on Thursday, the players came back well, and I am looking forward to the match for our fans. I understand its importance. This is a crucial game for us to change our current trajectory, and I have great faith in the players. We will put in a strong performance."
A Squad Overhaul with 10 New Signings
Last season was particularly disappointing for Guardiola and his team, as they failed to secure a major trophy for the first time in eight years.
For the Spaniard, one season without silverware is already concerning, and the prospect of ending the 2025-26 campaign without a title is unthinkable.
Guardiola recognized the need to rejuvenate a squad that often lacked energy last season and took decisive action. Key players such as Kevin de Bruyne, Kyle Walker, Jack Grealish, Ilkay Gundogan, Ederson, and Manuel Akanji departed, along with Scott Carson, who was valued for his mentorship of younger players.
The loss of such experienced individuals has left a significant void in the dressing room that cannot be easily filled.
In an effort to reclaim the title from Liverpool, who are heavily favored to retain their championship following substantial summer investments, Guardiola has opted to infuse youthful exuberance into the squad.
Since January, City has made ten new signings at a total cost of approximately £350 million, though this pales in comparison to Liverpool's record £415 million spending this summer.
However, City will commence another campaign without a recognized right-back, as Rico Lewis struggled in the home defeat against Tottenham, and Matheus Nunes conceded a penalty in the loss to Brighton.
Guardiola has previously attributed last season's challenges to an extensive injury list, which is again a concern as new signing Rayan Cherki has been ruled out for two months with a thigh injury, missing the chance for revenge against United.
Omar Marmoush, Rayan Ait-Nouri, and Mateo Kovacic are also sidelined, while John Stones is uncertain, and Josko Gvardiol and Savinho have yet to make their season debuts.
Club insiders have informed BBC Sport that training has been positive, and there is confidence heading into Sunday’s fixture after disappointing results against Spurs and Brighton, despite the latter performance being commendable.
Nonetheless, there is an acknowledgment that this week is crucial for City as they host their rivals before the emotional return of De Bruyne in the Champions League against Napoli on Thursday, followed by a trip to title contenders Arsenal next Sunday.
The Goalkeeping Situation
This summer has also seen significant confusion surrounding City's goalkeeping situation.
In June, Guardiola stated that the two goalkeepers at his disposal—Ederson and Stefan Ortega—"will continue," with both participating in the Club World Cup in the USA. However, City unexpectedly signed three new keepers.
Marcus Bettinelli was acquired to replace Carson, while City exercised matching rights on Newcastle's £27 million bid for Burnley's James Trafford, deeming the opportunity to re-sign him too enticing to pass up.
Ederson, who was initially named Guardiola's number one prior to the opening Premier League match against Wolves, was transferred to Fenerbahce just 18 days later.
On deadline day, Gianluigi Donnarumma joined from Paris St-Germain after being released by Luis Enrique, despite his role in securing a treble for the club last season.
Even though Ortega remains at the Etihad after rejecting offers to leave, Guardiola now has four first-team goalkeepers on the roster.
Former City defender Nedum Onuoha commented, "Many didn’t fully appreciate Ederson's true value. His shot-stopping was excellent, but his ability to contribute to playmaking is irreplaceable. If the new goalkeepers struggle under pressure, it could alter how City plays."
It appears unlikely that Donnarumma was signed to sit on the bench, which complicates Trafford's situation, as he expected to be the long-term successor to Ederson but may now find himself in a secondary role.
At just 26, Donnarumma brings extensive experience as an elite keeper with remarkable shot-stopping skills, and he now has the chance to showcase his talents in England.
Guardiola praised him, stating, "He is incredibly tall and has a commanding presence. We need our goalkeepers to be reliable, instill confidence in the team, and possess a strong personality. He has proven his quality on the biggest stages, including the Champions League last season."
United, facing their own challenges in goal, signed Belgian Sanne Lammens on deadline day, but Amorim confirmed that Altay Bayindir will start in goal on Sunday.
How United Could Exploit City’s Struggles
City has been surprisingly underwhelming, and despite United’s own shortcomings this season, Amorim's side may target two specific vulnerabilities.
Amorim's tactical approach focuses on inviting pressure before executing direct passes, often targeting teammates making runs behind the defense. Additionally, their system emphasizes exploiting wide areas rather than central play.
City has shown weaknesses in these areas, conceding goals in matches against Spurs and Brighton due to failures in pressing opposing wide defenders, allowing them to deliver direct passes.