The first Manchester derby of the 2026-27 Premier League season is set for Sunday, September 13, when Manchester United host Manchester City at Old Trafford. It is an early meeting with real table relevance, with Manchester City leading the league on nine points and Manchester United sitting 11th on four points after three games.
The timing also gives the match extra weight for Enzo Maresca, who took over as Manchester City manager in the summer after succeeding Pep Guardiola. This will be his first major test in the derby, and City arrive in good form after winning all four of their matches across all competitions since losing the Community Shield to Arsenal.
Manchester City arrive in control
Manchester City's league form has been strong from the start. They opened the Premier League season with a 2-1 home win over Bournemouth, then beat Crystal Palace 4-1 away. In that match, Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki each scored twice, underlining the firepower City already have in the final third.
They have also kept their momentum going beyond the league. City beat Coventry City 1-0 and then opened their Champions League campaign with a 2-0 win over Porto. That run has given them a clean early-season platform heading into the derby.
Manchester United need a response
Manchester United's start has been less stable. They began the Premier League season with a 2-0 defeat at Hull City, then responded with a 5-2 win over Ipswich Town and a 2-2 draw at Everton. They also beat Sabah 4-0 in the Champions League, but the league picture still leaves them chasing the teams above them.
That makes the derby a useful early gauge of where United stand. Beating City last season mattered, but repeating that result now would carry even more significance given the current standings and the pressure to build momentum.
What happened last time at Old Trafford
The last Manchester derby at Old Trafford came on January 17, when Manchester United beat Manchester City 2-0 at home. That result still stands out as one of United's better performances in the rivalry, and it is the benchmark City will now be trying to move past.
With the league leaders visiting a United side still looking for consistency, this derby already feels important. It is early in the season, but the table, the recent form and the rivalry history all give this one a clear edge.
