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For the better part of the last ten years, Manchester City held a commanding advantage over their fierce rivals, Manchester United.
The Cityzens flourished under Pep Guardiola, claiming trophy after trophy, while the Red Devils continued to flounder in the aftermath of Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement in 2013, rotating through managers and costly signings with very little to show for their efforts.
Last season, however, that divide started to narrow.
In Guardiola's final campaign at the helm of City, the club were—and remain—in the midst of a transitional phase, with experienced stars departing, new signings still finding their feet and the team reshaping its approach as the rest of the Premier League had, to a degree, worked out how to neutralize Guardiola's well-oiled machine.
United, meanwhile, revitalized their attacking options and rediscovered a fresh sense of belief following Michael Carrick's appointment, surging to a third-place finish while delivering some of the most exciting football the club has produced in the post-Ferguson era.
That closing gap is evident in our combined XI from both clubs, with United contributing more players than they might have in years gone by (which would have been one, if they were fortunate), though City still account for the majority of the XI—selected based on player availability for this weekend's clash at Old Trafford.
Man Utd vs. Man City Combined XI
GK: Gianluigi Donnarumma
United's Senne Lammens has undeniably been a significant upgrade in goal for the Red Devils and has a tremendously bright future ahead, but Gianluigi Donnarumma still gets the nod here, if only narrowly.
His imposing stature naturally makes him a commanding presence between the posts, but the Italian also possesses elite reflexes, and his ability in one-on-one situations is truly world class.
RB: Matheus Nunes
Matheus Nunes made his return for Manchester City against Porto in the Champions League and looked completely at ease at right back after a fairly extended stint on the injury list.
One of City's most underappreciated players, Nunes brings tremendous pace and directness in attack, while his midfield background affords him outstanding technical quality on the ball.
CB: Marc Guéhi
Marc Guéhi is, without question, the finest center back across both squads and arguably the best in the Premier League altogether.
Armed with outstanding positional awareness and anticipation, strong leadership qualities—he even features in City's captaincy rotation—and the composure to play out from the back, Guéhi possesses every attribute of a world-class defender. His recent deployment in midfield further underlines just how adaptable he truly is.
CB: Harry Maguire
Harry Maguire has been one of Manchester United's most impressive performers this season, looking reinvigorated under Michael Carrick's guidance and rediscovering his trademark, no-nonsense approach to defending.
A deflected effort—technically recorded as an assist and an own goal, though we'll give him full credit—in the 5–2 victory over Ipswich Town also served as a reminder of just how dangerous he remains in the opposition penalty area.
LB: Nico O'Reilly
Nico O'Reilly's comeback is a significant boost for Manchester City, with the youngster back in the frame after sitting out the 1–0 win over Coventry City.
It is encouraging news for Maresca, especially given the distinctive qualities O'Reilly brings to the team. The 2025–26 PFA Young Player of the Year is equally effective fulfilling his defensive responsibilities and venturing into advanced areas, where his movement and ball-carrying ability can create real headaches for opponents.
CM: Elliot Anderson
In the victory over Coventry, Elliot Anderson completed more passes than any English player in a single Premier League match since Opta started tracking the data back in 2003–04—a figure that speaks volumes about his ability to dictate the rhythm of a game.
He already looks completely settled in a City shirt.
Rodri who?
CM: Enzo Fernández
During his spell at Chelsea—more precisely, when Maresca took over and pushed him further up the pitch—Enzo Fernández made a habit of bursting into the box and threatening goal, while also delivering incisive passes to unlock his teammates.
He has shown plenty of both in his two City appearances to date, most notably teeing up one of Erling Haaland's goals in the 2–0 Champions League triumph over Porto.
Goals of his own will almost certainly come if Maresca continues to grant him the freedom to get forward that he has always enjoyed.
AM: Bruno Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes has carried his scintillating form from last season seamlessly into 2026–27, having shattered the single-season assist record in the Premier League with 21 last time out.
Four appearances across all competitions: four goals and one assist, and once again asserting himself as one of the most elite No. 10s in world football.
RW: Bryan Mbeumo
Antoine Semenyo can consider himself genuinely unfortunate to miss out here, but in our assessment, Bryan Mbeumo just shades him for the right wing spot in our combined XI.
The reason? While both are exceptional direct dribblers and clinical finishers, Mbeumo offers superior link-up play and the capacity to conjure moments of sheer brilliance—just witness his stunning improvised lob in the win against Ipswich.
ST: Erling Haaland
New season, new haircut, same relentless Erling Haaland. The Norwegian striker has already racked up five goals this campaign.
United's Benjamin Šeško has made a solid impression in his own right, but neither he nor any other striker in the Premier League comes anywhere near Haaland at the top of the pitch.
LW: Rayan Cherki
Bear with us—we're well aware that Rayan Cherki doesn't typically operate on the left wing, at least not this season, but we simply had to find room for him in this combined XI.
The slight Frenchman is pure wizardry; an unpredictable talent who is nearly impossible to anticipate and capable of flipping a match on its head in the blink of an eye. The understanding he is building with Erling Haaland will surely have United's defenders dreading what's to come.