Manchester United v Manchester City: Premier League – live

Key events19m agoPreambleWill UnwinManchester City have enjoyed a perfect start to the season without ever looking fully convincing in their victories. There are certainly more positives than negatives as Enzo Maresca learns more and more about his team. Against Porto they were sloppy for far too long and the midfield continues to look open, so a statement performance against their fiercest rivals would be ideal. The quality to rip open a team that has conceded two in each of their three Premier League outings thus far is there, and if it all finally clicks, then it could be a fine day for City.Michael Carrick is in a not dissimilar position but only has four points to show for United’s indifferent efforts. There is always an underlying pressure for any Manchester United and he faces difficult league games today and next weekend at Fulham before an elongated international break. He can’t afford two defeats because there will be a long silence that will be filled with think pieces on the club because it is impossible to escape the noise at this club.Jamie JacksonManchester United’s nine victories from 10 Premier League games at Old Trafford in 2026 cast their stadium as a fortress Manchester City aim to ransack on Sunday, to join Leeds in departing with three points during this calendar year.Michael Carrick has overseen the division’s highest home points-per-game return in that span: 2.7, ahead of Arsenal’s 2.27 (from 12 matches) and Manchester City’s 2.25 (11); and his side have scored the most goals: 26, to City’s 23, and the champions’ 20.A United fan group, the 1958, has called for a “peaceful protest” before kick-off, starting at a pub near the stadium, against what it believes is disproportionate action in the club’s drive to eradicate ticket touting. United said on Friday that 685 accounts had been subject to a ban and 464 supporters had received a reduced sanction or final warning.PreambleCan you have a must-win game in September? How about a mustn’t-lose match? This Manchester derby feels close to the latter for United, who have made a false start to Michael Carrick’s first season as full-time manager and already trail City by five points.It’s not all doom and gloom for United. They’ve scored nine goals in two home games, and their form at Old Trafford since Carrick took over has been terrific. They’ve won 10 out of 11, including a rousing 2-0 demolition of City in his first match back in January. United counter-attacked to devastating effect in that game; a degree in rocket science is not required to work out Carrick’s tactics today.City have recovered well after being battered by Arsenal in the Community Shield. You can’t ask for more than three league wins from three, even if the fixtures have been relatively kind. For both sides, this should be a useful health check.Kick off 4.30pm.