Michael Carrick has resisted the temptation to change his attack for Manchester United’s derby showdown with Manchester City this afternoon.
Now recovered from a lingering shin injury that curtailed his 2025/26 campaign and saw him play no part in pre-season, Benjamin Sesko had given his manager serious food for thought over the last week after following up his smart late header at Everton with another goal on his first start since May against Sabah.
But the Slovenian is back on the bench, with Matheus Cunha again being the focal point of the attack, while influential captain Bruno Fernandes starts in the the No10 as Bryan Mbeumo attacks off the right flank. Marcus Rashford is on the left.
Patrick Dorgu moves back to left-back due to the absence of Luke Shaw.
Diogo Dalot and Harry Maguire both return to the United ranks, with Lisandro Martinez also in central defence and Senne Lammens in goal.
The midfield pairing of Kobbie Mainoo and Youri Tielemans also remains, with the former having played only 64 minutes on Thursday and the latter replaced at half-time - not due to injury - by Mason Mount, who reaffirmed his own fitness.
The game comes too soon for £70million summer signing Carlos Baleba, who is still awaiting his United debut after suffering an ankle ligament injury during pre-season at Brighton.
Amad Diallo remains sidelined with his own ankle issue, while Matthijs de Ligt is still building up his fitness after a long-term back injury that belatedly required surgery and has kept him out completely since last November.
Manuel Ugarte is a long-term absentee following surgery on a cruciate ligament injury sustained at the World Cup, while third-choice goalkeeper Tom Heaton is still nursing a hamstring problem.
Confirmed team news
Manchester United XI: Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Dorgu; Tielemans, Mainoo; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Rashford; Cunha
Subs: Darlow, Heaven, Mazraoui, Yoro, Mount, Santos, Lacey, Sesko, Zirkzee
Injured: Amad, De Ligt, Ugarte, Heaton
Doubts: Shaw, Baleba
Time and date: 4.30pm BST on Sunday September 13, 2026
Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester
How to watch: Sky Sports
