Manchester Derby Combined XI – According to the Stats: Erling Haaland and Bruno Fernandes Make the Cut – but Who Dominates the Selection Between the Local Rivals?

Sunday sees the return of the all-important Manchester Derby. This fixture saw both sides pick up three points last season, and often brings out the best – and worst – of both sides.

City have had a flying start to the new season, securing dominant victories against Crystal Palace, Bournemouth and Coventry. United have had a sluggish start, with just four points in three games.

Last time the two met, United won 2-0 at Old Trafford in what would be Pep Guardiola’s last Manchester derby in charge and then-interim manager Michael Carrick’s first, with goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu.

This time, Enzo Maresca is in charge of the blue side, and Carrick is the permanent boss of the Red Devils.

So, who from Carrick’s side has performed well enough to make it into SofaScore’s combined XI based on the 2025-26 season so far, and who from Maresca’s high-flying squad has been able to secure their place?

The team is set up in a 4-3-2-1 formation – and one side dominates the selection.

Enzo Maresca is taking charge of his first Manchester derby since taking over at City

Michael Carrick, meanwhile, led United to victory in the last derby when interim manager

Goalkeeper – Gianluigi Donnarumma

In goal is Donnarumma, who signed for City on transfer deadline day in 2025, becoming the club’s No1 and leaving James Trafford on the bench. He had the second most clean sheets in the league last year (15), behind only Arsenal’s David Raya.

SofaScore’s average ratings place him higher than United’s Senne Lammens, who has already conceded six goals this season after an impressive campaign in 2025-26.

Italian Donnarumma is widely renowned for his incredible shot-stopping ability, aided by his 6ft 5in frame, which allows him to reach shots that look destined for the goal.

Previously, he spent time at PSG, playing a key role in their first Champions League winning campaign in 2024-25 before leaving to join Manchester City for £26million.

Last year, he kept a clean sheet in the derby at the Etihad, which he will hope to replicate again on Sunday at Old Trafford. 

SofaScore rating: 7.70

Right back – Abdukodir Khusanov 

At right back is Khusanov, who joined the side in January 2025 from Lens, becoming the first ever Uzbekistan international to join a Premier League club.

The 22-year-old offers a lot of athleticism in City’s back line, recording a top speed of 36.5km/h in the World Cup, which makes him one of the fastest defenders on the planet. It allows for good recovery pace against some of the quickest players in the Premier League.

Khusanov is ranked fifth for successful short passes in the league this season with 239, allowing him to thrive in Enzo Marescas possession-based style of football –  City have had on average 72 per cent possession so far this season.

SofaScore rating: 7.73

Abdukodir Khusanov has impressed with his athleticism in defence for City so far this season

Centre back – Ruben Dias

City captain Dias continues the blue theme as he gets the nod at centre back. Despite missing games last year with a hamstring injury, the Portugal international has started all three of the opening matches this season.

He has been a rock at the back for City since he joined in 2020-21, managing to make two PFA Premier League team of the season squads.

Dias provides a calm presence on the ball, which allows City to avoid losing possession to high-pressing teams and play their stylish football. He has played every minute so far this season, and will be a key player for Maresca – if he can manage to stay fit.

SofaScore rating: 7.63

Centre back – Marc Guehi

Guehi was one of the league’s most consistent defenders, last season playing 35 games in the Premier League. Joining from Crystal Palace for only £20m, he proved to be one of the best value for money transfers in 2025-26.

Winning 194 duels last year, Guehi filled a big hole in the City defence, which allowed them to compete for the title. The England international is composed on the ball, but also has the ability to dribble out of defence and create chances. He has even been used in midfield this season by Maresca, which highlights the trust the Italian has in his man.

After a summer at the World Cup, he will be hoping to deliver the Premier League title back to the blue side of Manchester.

SofaScore rating: 7.80

Left back – Josko Gvardiol

To complete an all-Manchester City defence, Gvardiol secures the left back spot after his successful start to the season. The Croatia defender has played in all three games, scoring and assisting after spending a lot of the 25/26 season on the sidelines.

The 24-year-old is known for his physicality combined with his impressive technical ability – he likes to drift into midfield and go forward, with 104 touches inside the opposition box in 24/25.

Gvardiol is a frequent contributor to City’s attacks, often getting forward. He has a record of 16 goal involvements across 86 games for City in the Premier League, and will be looking to continue his fine attacking form at Old Trafford on Sunday.

SofaScore rating: 7.17

There are spots for both Marc Guehi (left) and Josko Gvardiol (right) in the combined side

Centre midfield – Kobbie Mainoo

Mainoo is the first Manchester United player to make it into the combined XI.

After a frustrating start to the 25/26 season under previous boss Ruben Amorim, Mainoo began to flourish after Carrick took over.

An exceptional dribbler, Mainoo boasts good agility, which allows him to dodge challenges and get out of tight spots.

The young midfielder has already managed to get an assist this season and will try to show his creativity on Sunday against a strong City midfield – including international team-mate Elliot Anderson, who started over him in the World Cup.

SofaScore rating: 7.37

Centre midfield – Elliot Anderson 

And it’s Anderson who is alongside him in this team.

After a breakout season last year at Nottingham Forest, Anderson’s performances secured him a move to City for a club record fee of £116m. The midfielder racked up eight goal involvements last term, not missing a game for Forest.

Anderson is excellent at covering ground and played the tenth most minutes of any player last season – he is the complete box-to-box midfielder, which allows him to compete at the highest level physically.

Like Mainoo, Anderson is a great ball carrier and has a great range of passing, which allows him to play in tight spaces and fit well in a possession-dominant team such as Manchester City.

SofaScore rating: 7.70

International team-mates Elliot Anderson (left) andKobbie Mainoo (right) will be on opposite sides this weekend

Centre midfield – Enzo Fernandez 

Despite only playing one game for City so far this season, the Argentinian sneaks into the combined XI.

After breaking a club transfer record fee for the second time in the window at £125m, the former Chelsea man has reunited with Maresca as part of his midfield rebuild after he lost the likes of Rodri and Bernardo Silva.

Fernandez is an aggressive box-crashing midfielder with a deadly long shot in his locker, and also has a very high work rate. He’s an impressive ball carrier, and apt at splitting defensive lines with precise passes for his team-mates. He is also  the first footballer to have two transfer fees over £100m.

He will be looking to play a key role in his Manchester derby debut.

SofaScore rating: 7.30

Attacking midfield – Rayan Cherki 

Cherki is the first attacker in the team, having made an exceptional start to the new season. After coming off the bench in the first game, Cherki transformed the match, getting two assists to help City come back to beat Bournemouth 2-1 .

The Frenchman then continued his impressive form when City travelled to Selhurst Park, netting twice against Crystal Palace.

The forward is known for his flair and dribbling, being one of the league’s most exciting players to watch. He is also two-footed, which makes him unpredictable and extremely difficult to defend against. He will certainly be a handful for the Manchester United’s backline on Sunday as he looks to continue his fine form.

Sofascore rating: 7.73

Attacking midfield – Bruno Fernandes

The Manchester United captain and PFA player of the year had to be in the squad after scoring a hat-trick against Ipswich in their 5-2 victory a fortnight ago.

With four goal involvements in three games, the Portuguese star will be feeling confident going into the derby as he looks to anchor his side back to winning ways.

Fernandes had a record-breaking 2025-26 season, assisting his teammates 21 times – and the Reds will need him to be in top form in order to beat a strong City side.

Fernandes is a one-of-a-kind play maker who not only can set up his team-mates but can also score himself. He scored five freekicks last season, too – so City will be trying not to give him too many opportunities at goal.

SofaScore rating: 7.80

There’s a spot for both sides’ talismen – Erling Haaland (left) and Bruno Fernandes (right) get the nod

Striker – Erling Haaland

Who else?

The Norwegian goalscoring machine has bagged three goals in three appearances this season already and will be hoping to leave his mark on the Manchester derby.

He’s won three of the last four Golden Boots in the Premier League and seems like he is not slowing down after having a great World Cup with Norway. Haaland has scored eight goals in Manchester derbies, with his pace and power being almost unstoppable for defenders.

The United defence will do their best to keep the 26-year-old quiet on Sunday – and he finishes off the team with the highest rating.