10 key stats to note ahead of the Manchester derby in Old Trafford
The first Manchester derby of the 2026/27 Premier League season comes up at Old Trafford on Sunday, with both Manchester United and their city rivals carrying plenty of momentum, but for very different reasons.
Manchester City have made a perfect start under Enzo Maresca and arrive after four consecutive victories in all competitions, while Michael Carrick’s Manchester United have endured a mixed league campaign despite their impressive 4-0 Champions League win over Sabah.
With Erling Haaland chasing another derby milestone and United looking to protect their strong recent home record against City, the numbers point to several intriguing storylines before Sunday’s meeting.
10 key stats to know before the Manchester derby
1. Manchester United’s potent attack at home
Manchester United have already shown their attacking strength at Old Trafford, scoring nine times across their two home fixtures in all competitions. Their latest home performance was particularly emphatic, with Carrick’s side putting four past Sabah in the Champions League on Thursday.
2. Manchester City’s winning streak
Manchester City’s season began with a 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in the Community Shield, but Maresca’s team have responded strongly. They have since put together four straight victories, including three Premier League wins and a 2-0 Champions League success against Porto.
3. Carrick’s perfect record against City and Maresca
Manchester United boss Michael Carrick has won his only previous Manchester derby as manager and also has a 100 per cent record against Maresca, winning both meetings when he was at Middlesbrough and Maresca was managing Leicester City in the Championship. Sunday’s meeting therefore presents another chance for Carrick to maintain an unusual personal record.
4. City target a historic Premier League start
A victory at Old Trafford would give City four wins from their first four league games and add another chapter to their impressive record of fast starts. City have previously achieved the feat six times, including in the 2023/24 campaign. No team has recorded more in Premier League history.
5. Erling Haaland eyes derby milestone
Erling Haaland is one goal away from becoming the outright leading scorer in Premier League Manchester derbies. The Norwegian has already scored eight times against United in the competition, putting him level with Wayne Rooney and Sergio Aguero at the top of the derby scoring chart. Another goal on Sunday would give Haaland the record outright.
6. United’s defensive frailties
United have conceded twice in each of their first three league games. This defensive consistency has been one of Carrick’s early concerns, with United conceding two goals against Hull City, Ipswich Town and Everton. The latest setback came at Hill Dickinson Stadium, where Ainsley Maitland-Niles struck late to deny United all three points.
7. Phil Foden eyes derby scoring record
Phil Foden is one goal away from matching the Manchester derby record. The City star has scored seven Premier League goals against United and needs just one more to join Haaland, Rooney and Aguero on eight. His record makes him another major threat for City’s attack at Old Trafford.
8. United hope to match clean sheet run
Manchester United are chasing a third straight Old Trafford derby clean sheet, having shut City out in their last two league visits. A third consecutive clean sheet would put them level with their longest such run in the Premier League Manchester derby, achieved between April 1994 and October 1995.
9. Enzo Maresca’s record vs Man United
Enzo Maresca has an even record against United as a manager. The City boss has faced Manchester United three times during his managerial career, all while in charge of Chelsea. His record stands at one victory, one draw and one defeat, giving Sunday’s derby another chance to move that record in either direction.
10. City trying to avoid an unwanted Old Trafford sequence
Manchester City have not gone three consecutive Premier League visits to Old Trafford without winning since February 2011. With United having avoided defeat in their last two home league meetings with City, Maresca’s side have history to protect as they attempt to maintain their perfect start.
