Phil Foden was sent off just 23 minutes into Sunday afternoon’s Manchester derby after kicking united Captain Bruno Fernandes.
The pair clashed on the touchline with Fernandes initially aiming a clever dig at the city midfielder Foden reacted by swinging his legs backwards towards Fernandes and the Portugal international crumpled to the turf writhing in agony.
Referee Michael Oliver was quick to red card and his decision was upheld by VAR.
He was extremely harsh on Stockport-born Foden, whose presence brought some local involvement to the contest.
Former United defender Gary Neville, speaking on Sky Sports, said: “A painful moment for Foden to have to make that run down the long tunnel. I’m surprised Fernandes didn’t get a yellow for the kick to the ground, he’s certainly got a reaction out of Foden that will help his team-mates.”
Before the dismissal, it was United who had improved on the average chances created, although City’s Enzo Fernández did see an early shot go wide.
Lisandro Martinez fired straight at Gianluigi Donnarumma before Diogo Dalot narrowly got on the end of a lovely pass from Fernandes.
MANCHESTER UNITED TEAM NEWS
Left-back Luke Shaw was again absent from United’s squad after he also missed the Champions League win over Sabah.
United made three changes from that game, with Diogo Dalot and Harry Maguire replacing Noussair Mazraoui and Leny Yoro at the back and Marcus Rashford replacing Benjamin Sesko.
Manchester United: Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Dorgu; Tielemans, Mainoo; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Rashford; wedge
Manchester United substitutes: Darlow, Heaven, Mazraoui, Yoro, Andrey Santos, Mount, Lacey, Sesko, Zirkzee.
MANCHESTER CITY TEAM NEWS
City manager Enzo Maresca made one change from the side that beat Porto 2-0 in the Champions League.
So Elliot Anderson comes in for Ayyoub Bouaddi in midfield. Nico O’Reilly is fit enough to take a place on the bench after a back injury, but Jeremy Doku misses out again.
Manchester City: Donnarumma, Nunes, Dias (C), Guéhi, Guardiol, Anderson, Fernandez, Foden, Cherki, Semenyo, Haaland.
Manchester City substitutes: Rulli, Ndiaye, Kovačić, Reis, Bouaddi, O’Reilly, Allan, Khusanov, Lewis.
Stats Man United vs Man City Premier League form
- United won exactly that game last season 2-0, but have not beaten City twice in a row at home in the Premier League since a three-run run under Alex Ferguson from 2008/09 to 2010/11.
- They have won nine of their 10 home Premier League games since Michael Carrick took over in January (L1), scoring at least twice in each victory.
- Their current three-game winning streak at home has come despite conceding twice each time. United have not conceded at least two goals in four home league games since January 1972
- Carrick’s side have conceded twice in all three Premier League games this season, leaving them on course to concede at least two goals in their opening four games of a league campaign for the fourth time.
- The Red Devils previously did so in 1926/27 (first five games), 1930/31 (12) and 1969/70 (4), although their attacking threat is demonstrated by the fact they had more attempts overall (68) and amassed the second-highest expected goals total (7.3) over the opening three matches.
- City have won one of their last four Premier League games against United (D1 L2), having won five of their previous six (L1).
- They are looking to win each of their first four games in a Premier League campaign for the seventh time, which would be the absolute most of any team (Chelsea also have 6).
- The Cityzens have won the league on two of those six occasions (2011/12 and 2023/24).
- Elliot Anderson has completed more passes under high pressure than any other Premier League player this season (122), with United’s Youri Tielemans second on that count (114).
- Erling Haaland has eight goals in seven Premier League games against Manchester United, although only two of those goals have come at Old Trafford.
- Only Mohamed Salah (13) and Alan Shearer (10) have scored more against the Red Devils in the competition
Where to watch Man United v Man City: TV Channel, Live Streams Online
Kick-off on Sunday was at 16:30 BST (11:30 ET / 08:30 PT), with live UK coverage on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Ultra.
road Now the televisionSky Sports costs £14.99 for a daily subscription, £27.99 a month for a 12-month subscription or £34.99 a month without a contract.
Here is the full list of International broadcasters of the Premier League.
