In the electrifying atmosphere of the Premier League, the Manchester derby stands out as one of football’s most intense rivalries. On January 17, 2026, Manchester City face Manchester United at Old Trafford in a clash that could significantly impact the title race and local bragging rights. With Rodri returning to the starting lineup and Pep Guardiola making three strategic changes from their recent Carabao Cup win, City aim to extend their dominance in this fixture. As a seasoned football analyst with over 15 years of experience in Premier League coverage, I’ve witnessed how such games hinge on key players like Rodri and tactical adjustments. This comprehensive preview breaks down the team news, lineups, historical context, and predictions to give you all the insights you need for this blockbuster encounter.
Rodri, Reijnders And O’Reilly To Start | 4-3-3 Manchester City …
Whether you’re searching for “Manchester City team news vs United” or “Rodri injury update 2026,” this article provides expert analysis backed by the latest updates. Let’s dive into the details of this Premier League showdown.
Rodri’s Return: Boosting Manchester City’s Midfield Dominance
Rodri, the Ballon d’Or-winning Spanish midfielder, is back in Manchester City’s starting XI after managing his recovery from previous injuries, including an ACL issue last season and recent muscle strains. His inclusion is a game-changer for City, offering unmatched control and distribution in midfield. In limited appearances this season, Rodri has maintained over 90% pass accuracy and won the majority of his duels, underscoring his role as the team’s anchor.
This return comes at a crucial time amid City’s injury crisis, where Rodri’s presence allows Guardiola to dictate the tempo against United’s youthful midfield. Fans querying “Is Rodri fit for Manchester derby?” can rest assured: His recent substitute appearances, such as against Newcastle, confirm he’s ready for the high-stakes environment of Old Trafford. Expect Rodri to shield the defense while enabling transitions to attackers like Erling Haaland, making him pivotal in breaking down United’s press.
Three Key Changes: Analyzing Guardiola’s Tactical Adjustments
Pep Guardiola has introduced three changes to the Manchester City lineup following their 2-0 Carabao Cup semi-final victory over Newcastle. The most prominent is Rodri replacing Nico O’Reilly in midfield, prioritizing experience over youth for this derby. O’Reilly performed admirably in the cup tie, but Rodri’s big-game pedigree is irreplaceable.
The other alterations include Gianluigi Donnarumma returning in goal for James Trafford and Rico Lewis slotting in at right-back instead of Matheus Nunes. These moves address City’s defensive vulnerabilities, with a makeshift backline due to injuries. For those searching “Manchester City changes vs United,” these tweaks emphasize mobility and possession retention to counter United’s counter-attacking threats like Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo.
City’s injury list remains extensive: Josko Gvardiol, Ruben Dias, John Stones, Savinho, Mateo Kovacic, Oscar Bobb, and Nico Gonzalez (doubtful) are sidelined, while Omar Marmoush is unavailable due to AFCON commitments. Despite this, Guardiola’s squad depth shines, with young talents like Alimardon Khusanov and Max Alleyne stepping up in defense.
Confirmed Manchester City Lineup vs Manchester United
Here’s the full confirmed Manchester City starting XI and substitutes for the Premier League Manchester derby on January 17, 2026:
MANCHESTER UNITED VS MANCHESTER CITY POTENTIAL STARTING LINEUP ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE 2025/2026 HDH
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Gianluigi Donnarumma |
| Defenders | Rico Lewis, Alimardon Khusanov, Max Alleyne, Nathan Ake |
| Midfielders | Rodri, Bernardo Silva (Captain) |
| Forwards | Justin Semenyo, Phil Foden, Jeremy Doku, Erling Haaland |
Substitutes: Stefan Trafford, Lorenzo Bettinelli, Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Nico O’Reilly, James McAtee (likely McAidoo), Joshua Mukasa, Jacob Mfuni.
This setup likely deploys a 4-2-3-1 formation, transitioning to a fluid 4-3-3 for attacking phases. Compared to the Newcastle game, the changes inject stability and pace, ideal for exploiting spaces at Old Trafford.
On the Manchester United side, Michael Carrick makes five changes, with their lineup featuring Andre Lammens in goal, a back four of Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, and Luke Shaw, midfield duo Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro, and attackers including Patrick Dorgu, Bruno Fernandes, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo. Matthijs de Ligt is their only major injury absence.
Manchester Derby History and Stakes: A Rivalry Renewed
The Manchester derby, often searched as “Man United vs Man City history,” has seen 193 meetings, with City winning 10 of the last 15 Premier League encounters. This fixture frequently influences the title race, and with City pushing for top spots amid competition from Liverpool and Arsenal, a win here is vital. United, under interim boss Carrick, seek to climb from mid-table and disrupt their rivals.
Old Trafford’s atmosphere adds intensity, especially with United’s home record in recent derbies (three wins in five).
Man City fields makeshift defence in today’s crucial derby at Old …
Key battles include Rodri vs. Mainoo in midfield, Haaland vs. Martinez in attack, and Doku’s pace challenging Dalot.
Tactical Preview and Match Prediction
Guardiola’s City will prioritize possession (aiming for 60%+), using Rodri’s distribution to create overloads. Inverted full-backs like Lewis could tuck in for added control. United may rely on transitions through Fernandes and Mbeumo, exploiting City’s depleted defense.
Prediction: Manchester City 2-1 Manchester United. Haaland opens the scoring, United equalize, but Rodri’s influence secures a late winner. This forecast aligns with City’s form and derby edge.
For viewers in Lahore, Pakistan, the match kicks off at 5:30 PM PKT (12:30 PM GMT). Tune in via official broadcasters like USA Network or Universo globally, or local streams in Pakistan.
Conclusion: Why This Derby Could Define the Season
In summary, Rodri’s start and Guardiola’s three changes position Manchester City as favorites in this Premier League derby, despite injuries. The blend of experience, youth, and tactical nous could see City maintain their title charge, while United fight for pride under Carrick. As the rivalry evolves, matches like this remind us why the Manchester derby captivates fans worldwide. Stay tuned for live updates, and for more Premier League analysis, explore related content on mancity.com or premierleague.com.
FAQ: Common Questions About Manchester City vs Manchester United Derby
What are the three changes Manchester City made for the United clash?
Pep Guardiola made three alterations: Rodri replaced Nico O’Reilly in midfield, Gianluigi Donnarumma came in for James Trafford in goal, and Rico Lewis started at right-back instead of Matheus Nunes.
Is Rodri starting for Manchester City against United?
Yes, Rodri is back in the starting lineup after recovering from injuries, providing a significant boost to City’s midfield control.
What is the confirmed Manchester City lineup vs Manchester United?
The starting XI is Donnarumma; Lewis, Khusanov, Alleyne, Ake; Rodri, Bernardo Silva; Semenyo, Foden, Doku; Haaland. See the table above for full details.
Who is injured for Manchester City in the derby?
Key absentees include Josko Gvardiol, Ruben Dias, John Stones, Savinho, Mateo Kovacic, Oscar Bobb, and Nico Gonzalez (doubtful). Omar Marmoush is at AFCON.
What time does the Manchester derby start on January 17, 2026?
The match kicks off at 12:30 PM GMT (5:30 PM PKT for viewers in Pakistan) at Old Trafford.
How can I watch Manchester United vs Manchester City live?
In the UK, it’s on Sky Sports; in the US, USA Network/Universo; globally, check Premier League official streams or local broadcasters.
What is the prediction for Man United vs Man City?
Experts predict a 2-1 win for Manchester City, with Erling Haaland likely to score.
Why is the Manchester derby important in the Premier League?
It affects the title race, local rivalry, and standings, with historical significance in shifting power dynamics between the clubs.
Who is Manchester United’s manager for this game?
Michael Carrick is the interim boss, stepping in for his second spell.
What are the key battles in the Manchester derby?
Watch Rodri vs. Kobbie Mainoo in midfield, Erling Haaland vs. Lisandro Martinez, and Jeremy Doku vs. Diogo Dalot on the flanks.
