Man City vs Man Utd is 'must-win' match for both Pep Guardiola and Ruben Amorim

The first Manchester derby of the season is upon us, and it is shaping up to be a crucial clash for both Manchester City and Manchester United. The two titans will lock horns at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday at 4.30pm.

It's the prime slot for the biggest Premier League game of the weekend, but there's more than just three points at stake. As with every derby, local bragging rights are up for grabs. The victorious fans will claim Manchester as either blue or red until the return fixture at Old Trafford on January 26, 2026.

However, this time around, the stakes seem higher. Both teams currently languish in the bottom half of the table.

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It is surprising to see City in 16th place, even after only three games. Pep Guardiola's men have suffered back-to-back defeats against Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton & Hove Albion, following an opening-day victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers.

United, on the other hand, sit in 11th position. Ruben Amorim's side have had a mixed start to the season, winning one, drawing one, and losing one of their first three matches, requiring a late Bruno Fernandes penalty to secure all three points against newly promoted Burnley last time out.

For United, this season follows a forgettable 2024/25 campaign. A disappointing 15th-place finish in the Premier League table and defeat against Spurs in the Europa League final mean no European football at Old Trafford this season.

United's Carabao Cup journey was cut short last month, following a penalty shootout defeat to League Two side Grimsby Town. In the wake of that match, United boss Amorim seemed to doubt his future at the club.

However, their victory over Burnley silenced the speculation for a while. Losing to rivals Man City, though, could reignite those rumours.

United hope to carry forward the momentum they built up before the international break into the upcoming game. A win would give City the boost they need to kick off their season.

United's next challenge is Chelsea at Old Trafford on Saturday. While they have nearly a week to prepare, City face Napoli in their opening Champions League match on Thursday.

City will undoubtedly aim for a positive result against their rivals to set them up nicely for the challenging fixture. Meanwhile, United will appreciate the extra preparation time before their next match, and no one wants to arrive at Carrington this week with the pressure to make amends.

Given it's still early days in the season, securing three points could significantly alter the table standings. A win for United would bring them level with Everton and Sunderland, who currently sit in sixth and seventh place, respectively.

A victory for City would catapult them into the top half of the table, two points clear of their city rivals - a much-needed morale boost following the disappointment of their last two matches. However, defeat could spell disaster, solidifying a sluggish start to the Premier League season.

City learned the hard way last season; escaping a rut can be daunting. Their poor form almost ended their chances of securing a spot in the Champions League.

A loss against United this weekend could effectively knock them out of the title race with Liverpool and Arsenal, despite the season being in its infancy. United find themselves in a similar predicament; defeat could resurrect the doubts that haunted last season, dampening morale both on and off the pitch and potentially jeopardising their European ambitions.

The significance of the Manchester derby is never to be underestimated, but Sunday's match may carry more weight than previous encounters and those yet to come. It already feels like a do-or-die situation for both teams, a sentiment rarely felt this early in the campaign.

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