Manchester United reported back to Carrington on Wednesday to begin their preparations for Sunday’s Manchester derby.

Pep Guardiola headed into the international break having just overseen back-to-back Premier League defeats at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton and Hove Albion, respectively.

As for United, they claimed their first win of the season via a 3-2 home victory over Burnley – but they were certainly made to work for it. The scoreline was level at 2-2 from the 66th minute until the seventh minute of injury time when Bruno Fernandes converted from the spot.

Yet, form could well mean very little when the two cross-city rivals go head-to-head, especially so early in the campaign when both managers are still sussing out their most effective line-ups following the summer transfer window.

Manchester derby team newsMatheus Cunha has been a bright spark for United so far this season. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

It was confirmed yesterday that Guardiola would be without Omar Marmoush for the clash, adding to a host of injury woes for the Manchester City boss to navigate. Marmoush sustained a knee injury on international duty with Egypt and will undergo further scans in Cairo to determine the extent of the issue.

The Blues aren’t the only ones with early injuries to accommodate, though. Matheus Cunha limped off with an apparent hamstring injury in the first half of the Clarets win before Mason Mount was withdrawn at the interval and replaced by the out-of-favour Kobbie Mainoo.

Rio Ferdinand: United quartet would make City’s squad

Former United stalwart Rio Ferdinand previewed the clash with Mail Sport’s Chris Wheeler this week and was pressed on which United players he believed would make City’s squad.

“Bruno [Fernandes], I put Leny Yoro in there. I think he is going to be a standout this year. [Bryan] Mbeumo probably gets in there now. Cunha might have a chance,” said the ex-defender.

RIO FERDINAND EXCLUSIVE

Why Utd ins/outs show Amorim backing Which Reds get into Man City’s team Early verdict on Sesko Has PL powerbase shifted from Mcr? Thoughts on his new life in Dubaihttps://t.co/mZ9M9cgtNh via @MailSport #mufc #mcfc #BeatTheIcon

— Chris Wheeler (@ChrisWheelerDM) September 11, 2025

“At the moment City have got a better squad than us, I think that’s a fact. I don’t think many people would argue with that. That’s just the way it is at the moment.”