Manchester United and Manchester City are set to square off in the Manchester Derby on Sunday.
With City in particular suffering from injury problems, it looks like one of the more unpredictable Premier League clashes between the two rivals in recent years.
Today, we’ll be looking at the strongest combined XI of the two teams while they’re at full strength. Who makes it into your team?
GK: Gianluigi Donnarumma
Gianluigi Donnarumma seems like a strange inclusion, as he has yet to play for City, having been signed in the dying embers of the summer transfer window.
Nevertheless, doubts surrounding Donnarumma’s ability are minimal. At PSG, he was arguably the best goalkeeper in the world – can he replicate his Parisian performances for the Sky Blues?
RB: Diogo Dalot
While some may have believed this spot belongs to Noussair Mazraoui, we think he’s more of a left-back. Diogo Dalot, on the other hand, is the archetypal modern full-back.
Fast, strong and with an excellent cross, Dalot has had his peaks and valleys during his time at United. Nevertheless, when he is on form, he’s one of the best right-backs in the league.
CB: Ruben Dias
Ruben Dias was a sensation upon his arrival at Manchester City. He quickly carved out a spot in the first team and hasn’t looked back since.
A true leader at the back, Dias gave defensive solidity to a team that seemed like a soft touch at the back before his arrival.
CB: John Stones
The Yin to Dias’ Yang, John Stones has always been a very technically astute defender. While he was caught out a few times earlier in his career, his mistakes became exponentially rarer as his career progressed.
Now, Stones is frequently touted as one of the best defenders in the world – as such, he is more than worthy of a spot in this XI.
LB: Rayan Ait-Nouri
Another of City’s summer signings, Rayan Ait-Nouri looks like the perfect fit at left-back – which was a major problem position for the Citizens last campaign.
He has everything you could want in a full-back. He’s very creative, with excellent crossing and dribbling ability, but he is also no slouch defensively.
CM: Rodri
While Rodri’s playing time over the past calendar year has been severely limited due to injury, he still warrants a spot on this list due to his sheer ability.
The Spaniard was at the heart of City’s midfield during their monumental 2022/23 treble winning season, but injury issues have prevented him from recapturing his previous form.
CM: Tijjani Reijnders
We promise we’ll get back to United’s players soon! A brilliant summer signing by Manchester City, Tijjani Reijnders has taken to the Premier League like a duck to water.
Not only does Reijnders have an excellent understanding of his role in midfield, being able to break up play and find teammates in advantageous positions, he can also score goals and create chances.
RW: Bryan Mbeumo
Finally, another United player – but with a player of Mbeumo’s extreme quality, it would’ve taken a truly elite talent to oust him.
Mbeumo was absolutely oustanding for Brentford last season. Despite a bumpy start to his Manchester United journey, a player of his quality should be able to put the penalty miss against Grimsby aside as he looks to be able to handle the pressure of playing for Man United.
AM: Bruno Fernandes
Another shoe-in for the XI is Bruno Fernandes, who has been United’s talisman for the last few years. While the post-Ferguson era has been mired in heartache for the Red Devils, Fernandes has been a consistent bright spark throughout.
He has registered at least 15 goal contributions for United in each season he has been at the club, but onlt has one Premier League goal to his name so far in 2025/26.
LW: Matheus Cunha
Matheus Cunha could be an inspired signing for Manchester United if he can recreate his performances at Wolves.
He has been somewhat unlucky so far – currently, he is recovering from thigh injury and will likely miss out on the derby.
A natural striker, Cunha is also a force to be reckoned with when played as a number ten or on the left wing.
ST: Erling Haaland
Who else? When on form, Erling Haaland is doubtlessly the best striker in world football. If you could build the perfect striker in a laboratory, there’s a strong chance that he’d play like Haaland. Benjamin Sesko still has some adjustments to make to prove his effectiveness in the Premier League.
Conversely Haaland is Premier League proven and is fast, strong and is a wonderful finisher, it’s impossible to play a high line against the Norwegian prodigy and get away with it.