Manchester Rivals Seek Season Revival

Both clubs invested heavily in transfers but face pressure to improve poor performances

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LONDON - Ruben Amorim is confident Manchester United will rise to the occasion against a Manchester City side in transition for the Sept 14 clash between the local rivals, who are both off to poor Premier League starts.

One of Amorim's only eight wins in 30 league games since taking charge of the Red Devils came at the Etihad in the 2024-25 season, as two late goals earned a 2-1 victory in December.

That defeat came amid a run of one win in 13 games for Pep Guardiola's men as City collapsed in that same season after an unprecedented run of four consecutive Premier League titles.

But hope that a major overhaul of Guardiola's squad would restore their former glories has so far proved a false dawn. After a convincing 4-0 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers on the opening weekend of the 2025-26 season, City have lost to Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton & Hove Albion.

For the first time in five years, United head into a derby ahead of their local rivals in the table, albeit only by one point.