Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola could face a real handful with one of Ruben Amorim’s impressive Manchester United players in the derby on Sunday afternoon.
Ruben Amorim will cross paths with Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola in the Etihad dugout for the first Manchester derby of the 2025-26 Premier League season.
The 40-year-old Manchester United manager is heading into Sunday’s showdown with his first win of the season under his belt after the Burnley clash in August.
United defeated Burnley 3-2 at Old Trafford in the Premier League, with Bruno Fernandes stepping up and converting a penalty deep into second-half injury time.
City, on the other hand, have lost their last two Premier League matches and haven’t won in the league since the opening weekend of the new season.
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Pep Guardiola reacts during the 2024 FA Community Shield match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium in 2024 in London, England.
Photo by Michael Regan – The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Chris Sutton tells Pep Guardiola exactly what to expect from Bryan Mbeumo in the Man Utd vs Man City clash
Bryan Mbeumo has deeply impressed for Manchester United since his summer arrival from Brentford, with the 26-year-old acting as a dynamic threat for the Red Devils.
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The French-born attacker has naturally slotted into Ruben Amorim’s tactical system at United and Bryan Mbeumo has been a lively attacking option in the final third.
Speaking in his BBC Sport column, Chris Sutton has handed United an edge in the attack thanks to the influence of Mbeumo, who is tipped to ‘hurt’ Manchester City.
The 52-year-old pundit added that the Cameroon international will become a “thorn” in the side of Pep Guardiola’s men if United play on the counter-attack on Sunday.
“I can see Bryan Mbeumo hurting City, with United counter-attacking and him being a thorn in their backline chasing balls in behind,” Sutton said.
“I am also not as convinced by City if James Trafford keeps his place in goal.
“So, I think United will definitely score, but I still cannot go against City at Etihad Stadium because we know they will create chances there.”
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Bryan Mbeumo is now the key for Man Utd manager Ruben Amorim to inflict a major Premier League blow on Man City at the Etihad
United manager Amorim has provided an injury update ahead of the Manchester derby and has already been dealt two major blows to his attacking options.
Both Matheus Cunha and Mason Mount will be out of action for Sunday’s trip to the Etihad, which now places a major focus on what Bryan Mbeumo can produce.
Mbeumo is likely to be in the United attack alongside summer signing Benjamin Sesko, who has not made a Premier League start for the Red Devils since his move.
Bruno Fernandes could also creep out of the two-man midfield pivot and the 31-year-old United star could play on the left No 10 role in Matheus Cunha’s absence.
Mbeumo has featured in all four of United’s matches across all competitions this season and the Cameroon international has netted twice for his side so far.