Graham Ruthven: Derby defeat would make City, not United, Manchester’s biggest crisis club

THE narrative around Manchester’s two rival clubs has been drastically different in recent times. While Manchester City entered the 2025/26 season as potential title challengers in the eyes of many, Manchester United have been on the brink of crisis, having won just one of their opening four fixtures, including the shock loss to Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup.

It’s been an undeniably difficult start to the campaign for Ruben Amorim and his players, yet United enter Sunday’s Manchester Derby above City in the Premier League table. While United have won just four points from their first three fixtures, City have just three points after suffering defeats to Brighton and Tottenham Hotspur.

Derby defeat would make City, not United, Manchester’s crisis club. It would be confirmation that Pep Guardiola’s rebuild is a long way from being complete. Far from being title challengers, another damaging loss this weekend would raise new questions about the current direction of the Etihad Stadium club.

 

Manchester City’s squad reconstruction started in January when they spent big to bring in Omar Marmoush, Nico Gonzalez, Abdukodir Khusanov, and Vitor Reis. Marmoush hit the ground running, scoring seven goals in his first 16 Premier League appearances in the second half of the season.

Gonzalez and Khusanov, however, have struggled for consistent form, while Reis has played just one Premier League minute so far. Marmoush has also yet to find his natural role in City’s new-look frontline, with the Egyptian most comfortable in a central position rather than out on the wing.

This summer, Tijani Reijnders arrived from AC Milan as the replacement for Kevin de Bruyne, who headed in the opposite direction to Serie A. Reijnders has made a good start to life at Manchester City, but there are concerns around the framework of the midfield unit around him. 

Against Brighton, this was particularly clear. Even with Rodri back in the lineup after a long time out from injury, Manchester City were vulnerable in defensive transition through the centre of the pitch and the Seagulls exposed this. Spurs also made the most of City’s defensive and midfield weakness.

Rayan Cherki joined from Lyon and has the potential to become one of the most exciting and potent attackers in the Premier League. Similar to Marmoush, though, it’s unclear where he fits into Guardiola’s strongest lineup. Cherki can play as a ‘False Nine’ or out wide, but City have yet to find the optimum role for him.

Then there’s Rayan Ait-Nouri who has given Manchester City some much-needed width as a left fullback. Guardiola has gone back to using orthodox fullbacks, at least on the left side of the defence, after years of using centre backs and midfielders in that area. Ait-Nouri’s signing from Wolves for £35m made a lot of sense.

However, Ait-Nouri’s advanced position high up the pitch has exacerbated City’s defensive imbalance in more than one match this season. Bryan Mbeumo will certainly look to exploit the space behind the Algerian when Manchester United visit the Etihad Stadium this weekend. 

Gianluigi Donnarumma could make his Premier League debut after joining City from Paris Saint-Germain on deadline day which is something else that could disrupt Guardiola’s team. While Donnarumma is an excellent shot-stopper, he is error-prone with the ball at his feet. It’s somewhat surprising that City signed the Italian to replace Ederson.

Of course, United have problems of their own. City still have the stronger squad and will likely finish higher in the Premier League table. Nonetheless, Sunday’s derby could swing the pendulum of pressure across Manchester. It could be Guardiola’s turn to experience being the manager of a crisis club.

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