Manchester City, United attempt to switch season into higher gear

Field Level Media|published: Sat 13th September, 12:27 2025

[Subscription Customers Only] Jul 9, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma (1) celebrates after midfielder Fabian Ruiz (8) scores their third goal during a semifinal match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kai Pfaffenbach-Reuters via Imagn Images

Gianluigi Donnarumma could make his debut in the Manchester City net against visiting Manchester United in Sunday's Manchester Derby.

City (1-2-0, 3 points) completed the move for Donnaruma from Paris Saint-Germain, for a fee reportedly of at least $35 million, just as the primary transfer window closed earlier this month.

He'll be in an open competition for the No. 1 spot with James Trafford after City sold Ederson to Fenerbahce.

Trafford started City's first three matches this season, but back-to-back defeats heading into the international window could cause manager Pep Guardiola to change course immediately.

"He's so tall and so huge. All the keepers want to save balls and give confidence to the team and personality and he's a big presence on the bigger stages," Guardiola said. "He did it in the UEFA Champions League last season at Villa Park and Anfield."

City lost 2-0 at home to Tottenham and 2-1 at Brighton to fall already six points behind reigning champions Liverpool as the early season table shakes out.

Erling Haaland has three goals, and City's only tally since a 4-0 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers on the opening weekend.

City also is winless in the last four derbies, earning only a point in the last two league fixtures while also losing the 2024 FA Cup final 2-1 to United and playing to a draw in the 2024 Community Shield.

And it's the first time in five years that United (1-1-1, 4 points) has entered the Manchester Derby above City in the table, though they haven't exactly proved convincing in their own start.

"I think we are a better team (compared to last season)," manager Ruben Amorim said. "If you see any aspect, the data, we are a different team. We are ready to play the game but we have to show on Sunday."

A stoppage-time penalty from Bruno Fernandes -- and a disallowed goal for Burnley via semi-automated offside technology -- helped United to a 3-2 home win two weekends ago that was its first victory of any sort this season.

That came on the heels of an embarrassing exit to fourth-tier Grimsby Town on penalties in the second round of the EFL Cup.

But Amorim's group at least is creating chances at a better early clip than last season, even while some of the finishing is left wanting.

To that end, recently acquired striker Matheus Cunha will be among those absent to injury Sunday and unable to score his first EPL goal in a United shirt.

--Field Level Media