This is the first Manchester derby of the new season, in the context of both teams facing difficulties. Both Pep Guardiola and Ruben Amorim's teams have had unimpressive Premier League starts, having only won one of their previous rounds.
After the international break to regain form, both Man City and Man United are ready for the confrontation at the Etihad. In the encounter at the Etihad last season, the "Red Devils" won 2-1 thanks to the explosive final minutes, making Man City's poor form even more serious.
Last season's derby hero Amad has not had many opportunities to play in the Premier League this season. However, with Diogo Dalot, Matheus Cunha and Mason Mount all absent due to injury, he is likely to start from the start.
A long injury list also opens up the opportunity for Benjamin Sesko to make his first appearance in the Man United starting lineup since joining for £73.7 million.
New signing goalkeeper Senne Lammens will not be in the starting lineup, as Amorim confirmed Altay Bayindir will continue to start. "Altay will play, because this is another tournament, another country, a different training environment and football style.
We want to maintain stability and let the goalkeepers compete fairly for this position. For me, it's clear that Altay will be the main target. We believe in our goalkeeper, I believe in Altay. He is ready and will take the field" - Amorim emphasized.
While Amorim has finalized the goal early, Guardiola must consider whether to give new signing Gianluigi Donnarumma a chance to debut. James Trafford, another rookie, has received mixed reviews after three starts and now faces great pressure to keep his place.
When asked about Donnarumma, Guardiola said: "He is very tall. With all the goalkeepers we have chosen, it is important that they control the ball safely, bring confidence to the whole team, and have personality and a clear presence on the pitch.
In the biggest matches in the Champions League last season, at Villa Park, Anfield and many other grounds, he proved his ability. Of course, there will be goals conceded, but the whole team will deal with them."
Speaking about James Trafford, the Man City captain continued: "He is a Man City goalkeeper. I could only choose one goalkeeper, two full-backs and two centre-backs. The season is still very long, so everyone will have the opportunity to play. Maybe they don't believe it yet, but they will."
Meanwhile, after the summer transfer window ended, Man United's squad had only 4 players from the academy. The "Red Devils" have always maintained a record of having at least one "homegrown" player in the starting lineup since 1937. This is a tradition that Amorim certainly does not want to be the one to end.
"We want to maintain that tradition. I don't want to be the one to break that record or idea. If you look at the history of Man United, you will see that the club was built on players who grew up from the academy and have been with the team for a long time.
I think that should also be our goal in the future. And I will definitely try to maintain that," Amorim said.
Expected lineup:
Man City: Donnarumma, Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O'Reilly, Rodri, Bernardo, Reijnders, Bobb, Doku, Haaland.
Man United: Bayindir, Yoro, De Ligt, Shaw, Mazraoui, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dorgu, Mbeumo, Zirkzee, Amad.
The match between Man City and Man United takes place at 22:30 on September 14 (Vietnam time).
