Manchester United faces Manchester City in an early-season Premier League derby with several lineup questions for interim manager Michael Carrick. Benjamin Sesko, recently recovered from injury, may start as the main striker after scoring twice in recent matches. The article details potential starting lineups and provides updates on player fitness, including injured players like Amad Diallo and Matthijs de Ligt.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-13,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
On Sunday September 13, 2026, Manchester United will face Manchester City in a Premier League derby at Old Trafford. Manchester United has had a disappointing start to the season, losing to Hull and drawing with Everton after leading twice. Key players like Amad, De Ligt, Ugarte, and Heaton are injured, while Shaw and Baleba are doubts for the match. In contrast, Man City is unbeaten in all competitions this term, led by Enzo Maresca. Benjamin Sesko, who has recently scored goals against Everton and Sabah after recovering from a shin injury, may start as United's focal point up front. The biggest question for Manchester United manager Carrick will be how to effectively attack City’s defense.
Written for “Manchester Derby Lineup News” on 2026-09-14,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
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No political leaning scored for article 8425 · logged 2026-09-13
That followed what has been a largely disappointing start to the new Premier League season, with Man Utd brushed aside in shock fashion by newly-promoted Hull on opening day before a 5-2 thrashing of Ipswich was followed by a lively 2-2 draw at Everton in which they led twice but conceded a stunning last-gasp equaliser courtesy of Ainsley Maitland-Niles.
asserted
they → follow → Niles
What to do in the final third will be the biggest question mark facing Carrick for an early-season derby against the so-called ‘noisy neighbours’, to coin a famous Sir Alex Ferguson phrase, who are led by Enzo Maresca in this fixture for the first time and have won all four of their matches across all competitions so far this term.
asserted
who → face → competitions
Now recovered from a lingering shin injury that curtailed his 2025/26 campaign and saw him play no part in pre-season, Benjamin Sesko has given his manager serious food for thought over the last week after following up his smart late header at Everton with another goal on his first start since May against Sabah.
uncertain
Sesko → recover → Sabah
The Slovenian international may well retain his place against City as a much-needed focal point up front, while influential captain Bruno Fernandes is guaranteed to start as the No10 as Bryan Mbeumo attacks off the right flank.
uncertain
Mbeumo → retain → flank
Matheus Cunha vs Marcus Rashford appears to be the battle for the starting job on the left if Sesko stays in, though it could be that Patrick Dorgu actually moves forward into the position after acing his left-back audition against Sabah in the absence of Luke Shaw, with United likely to need his defensive contributions against City’s rampant attack.
uncertain
United → appear → attack
That would require Shaw to prove his fitness after missing out entirely in the Champions League, where Dorgu, Noussair Mazraoui and Leny Yoro all came into the backline and Rashford made way for Sesko further forward, with Cunha switching from striker to the left-hand side.
asserted
Cunha → require → side
Diogo Dalot and Harry Maguire should both return to the United ranks against City, with Lisandro Martinez also in central defence and Senne Lammens in goal.
asserted
Dalot → return → goal
The midfield pairing of Kobbie Mainoo and Youri Tielemans should remain, with the former having played only 64 minutes on Thursday and the latter replaced at half-time - not due to injury - by Mason Mount, who reaffirmed his own fitness.
asserted
who → remain → fitness
The game is likely to come too soon for £70million summer signing Carlos Baleba, who is still awaiting his United debut after suffering an ankle ligament injury during pre-season at Brighton.
asserted
who → come → Brighton
Amad Diallo remains sidelined with his own ankle issue, while Matthijs de Ligt is still building up his fitness after a long-term back injury that belatedly required surgery and has kept him out completely since last November.
asserted
that → remain → November
Manuel Ugarte is a long-term absentee following surgery on a cruciate ligament injury sustained at the World Cup, while third-choice goalkeeper Tom Heaton is still nursing a hamstring problem.
Injured: Amad, De Ligt, Ugarte, Heaton
Doubts: Shaw, Baleba
Time and date: 4.30pm BST on Sunday September 13, 2026
Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester
How to watch: Sky Sports
asserted
Heaton → follow → Sunday
