Manchester United host Manchester City in the first derby of the 2026/27 Premier League season at Old Trafford
Marcus Rashford.
Marcus Rashford has been urged to listen to a Manchester United icon(Image: Carl Recine/Carl Recine/Getty Images)
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Michael Carrick's Manchester United host Manchester City at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon, giving Enzo Maresca his first taste of the famous rivalry. The match will be significant for Marcus Rashford with the United academy graduate no doubt hoping he can make an impact on the derby after a summer of uncertainty regarding his future.
The winger enjoyed a successful season on loan to Barcelona last year and was keen to return to Spain. However, he has worked his way back into Carrick's plans and is back to performing well in United red.
Rashford's United team-mate Lisandro Martinez has also spoken out about his rivalry with Erling Haaland ahead of the derby. The Argentine has enjoyed plenty of heated battles with the City striker over the years, recently dominating him as Manchester United ran out 2-0 winners in January.
Here, has the latest headlines ahead of the Manchester derby.
Marcus Rashford verdict
United legend Gary Pallister has called on Rashford to capitalise on his opportunities after being handed "a second chance" in Manchester. The winger has returned to the first-team picture at the club following a spell out of favour under previous manager Ruben Amorim.
The 28-year-old enjoyed loan spells at Aston Villa and Barcelona, and was eager to complete a permanent move to the latter. United were determined to get rid of his £325,000-a-week salary during the summer, but Rashford has since returned to Old Trafford.
Speaking to Betarades.gr, Pallister claims fortune has certainly favoured the England international in recent months. He said: "I think Rashford has been fortunate in the respect of Michael (Carrick) being at the club when Marcus was in his pomp and when he was earning that new contract that he got.
The name and number 9 of Marcus Rashford of Manchester United is seen on the back of his shirt during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Everton and Manchester United at Hill Dickinson Stadium on September 06, 2026 in Liverpool, England.
Rashford has been told to grab his 'second chance' (Image: Lewis Storey - Danehouse/Getty Images)
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"That's what Michael probably remembers. A couple of years after he signed that deal and he didn't look happy. He obviously got put in the bomb squad, along with three or four of the players and his body language wasn't great, his form wasn't great and I think it suited both parties for him to leave and go to Barcelona where he was desperate to do well.
"And then a contract there didn't work out. They went and got Anthony Gordon and they were both playing that same position at the World Cup for England. I don't know how he felt about all that, but I think it's safe to say he's been fortunate to get a second chance at United and I'm now expecting him to grab it with both hands.
"The Everton game was the best I've seen him. I'm sure he loves the club. He's coming in with a manager in Michael that he knows that he can work with and in the first three games, he seems a lot happier. We know he's a talented player, we know he's a threat.
"If he's happy and he's hungry, then Marcus Rashford would be in most people's Premier League teams. So, we're going to watch this space, I guess."
Martinez's thoughts on rivalry
Erling Braut Haaland of Manchester City battles for possession with Lisandro Martinez of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on January 17, 2026 in Manchester, England.
Martinez has downplayed his battle with Haaland(Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
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Martinez has played down his personal rivalry with Haaland, insisting it is "in the past." The pair have clashed fiercely in previous Manchester derbies and are poised to add another instalment on Sunday afternoon.
However, the Argentina international has dismissed the significance of their relationship as he stated: "Yeah, but that is the past. It's the past, you know, it's gone, and now we have to, I have to be ready for this game because it's going to be so different from the last one."
Martinez delivered an excellent display against Haaland in the most recent derby, where United emerged 2-0 victors during Carrick's first game in interim charge last season. City have been given an additional two days of preparation for the fixture due to their Champions League tie taking place earlier than their opponents', but the defender stressed the Reds aren't looking to rely on excuses.
Speaking following United's 5-0 triumph over Sabah FK in Europe, he added: "This is what we want, playing every three days, playing in all the competitions. This is what we want from long time, you know, and now we are ready. We have to recover now and this is the standard that we want as a team."