Manchester United will face Manchester City in a blockbuster Premier League clash at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Man United have collected just four points from their opening three Premier League games, leaving head coach Michael Carrick desperate to reclaim the bragging rights after guiding United to a 2-0 victory earlier this year.
With anticipation already building, we take a look at the combined XI for the first Manchester derby of the 2026-27 season.
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Goalkeeper
Senne Lammens
There is very little to separate Donnarumma and Lammens, with both goalkeepers enjoying impressive 2025-26 campaigns.
Lammens has a higher ceiling and was exceptional in a defensively vulnerable team. He starts between the sticks.
Defence
Diogo Dalot, Ruben Dias, Lisandro Martinez, Josko Gvardiol
The back four is split evenly between the two Manchester clubs.
Dalot remains one of the most underrated right-backs in the Premier League and deserves the starting spot.
Dias is not only an elite centre-back but also a commanding leader who brings authority to the defensive line.
Marc Guehi would provide a strong partnership, but we favour Martinez for his crisp, progressive passing and ability to play vertically through the lines.
Luke Shaw is the only senior left-back at United, while Gvardiol brings much more to the team compared with the England international.
Midfield
Enzo Fernandez, Kobbie Mainoo, Bruno Fernandes
Elliot Anderson may have stolen the headlines with his blockbuster move from Nottingham Forest to Man City, but we firmly believe Mainoo is the midfield difference-maker.
In fact, the United youngster is our pick as the best central midfielder across both squads.
Fernandez would be an excellent partner for Mainoo, with the Argentina international bringing aggression, energy and intensity to the heart of midfield.
Bruno Fernandes needs little introduction, with the United captain firmly deserving the number 10 role in this combined XI. He was the best player in the Premier League last season.
Attack
Bryan Mbeumo, Erling Haaland, Rayan Cherki
Leaving out Antoine Semenyo was one of the toughest calls, but Mbeumo gets the nod because of his greater consistency and cutting edge in front of goal.
Semenyo has registered two assists, while Mbeumo has scored two goals in their respective opening three games this season.
The City star is an outstanding attacking midfielder, although he is not yet at Bruno Fernandes’ level, so he takes up the left-wing position in this team.
Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Marcus Rashford are all quality attacking options, but Haaland remains on a different level when it comes to finding the back of the net.
The Norwegian spearheads this star-studded combined XI and provides the devastating goalscoring threat needed to lead the line.
Stats from Fotmob.com