The first Manchester derby is almost upon us, and some of the Premier League's biggest pundits have had their say

Derby day returns to Old Trafford as Manchester United host rivals Manchester City in their first clash of the season on Sunday. Michael Carrick has the slight upper hand in this fixture after leading the Red Devils to a 2-0 win as interim boss last year.

Meanwhile, Enzo Maresca will get his first taste of derby action after an impressive start to the 2026/27 campaign. City have won all three league games and are coming off the back of a 2-0 win against Porto in the Champions League.

United have stumbled into the new season with a win against Ipswich Town, a last-minute draw with Everton and a shock opening-day defeat at the hands of newly promoted Hull City. Their 4-0 thrashing of Sabah FK in Europe will boost confidence as they host their fierce rivals at Old Trafford.

But what do the pundits think? Here, Mirror Football has some of the hottest takes heading into this weekend's Manchester derby.

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Jamie Carragher - City win

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has backed City to overcome their rivals despite not yet reaching their usual standards. During his Super 6 predictions for Sky Sports, the ex-Red said: "Another cracking matchup we have this Sunday!

"Whilst I don't think Man City have been at their best so far this season, I still believe that they will be able to pick up all three points against United." The former England international believes that a 3-1 win will be sufficient enough for Maresca's side.

Gary Neville - United win

During a fierce debate on The Overlap's Big Game Preview, former United captain Gary Neville continues to throw his weight behind his former club. The ex-right back has faith that the Old Trafford atmosphere will play a part in the game, and the "ferocious" nature of the crowd will help his old side get the victory.

Neville said: "I think United are going to win. Not through the fact that I'm a United fan, by the way, I'm wrong every week about a lot of things. But if you said to me, ‘What's the score going to be?’ I would say 2-1 to Manchester United because, if I look at Sunday, it's a new City team, and a few of them won't have been there before in this type of fixture.

"I think City have got a very good squad but you've actually lost a lot of leadership experience. They've lost a lot and I do think that sometimes United is that ground like Anfield and sometimes City can do it to you - it can just eat you up in 10 minutes. It can just eat you alive. And I do believe there'll be a period on Sunday, I think, where City will probably the better team for quite a large part of the game.

"I just think there'll be that 10-minute period where it'll become ferocious and it'll become that quick and they'll be like, 'What's going on?' and that's what we're probably relying upon on Sunday, that moment, that five to 10 minutes where it just becomes [chaotic] and the ground eats you up."

Chris Sutton - Draw

In his BBC Sport column, Chris Sutton is in two minds about where this fixture will head. The ex-Celtic star believes a draw is a fair result given where both teams are at this point in the season.

He said: "I have got this result really badly wrong over the past couple of seasons, when I have tended to go for City, but I am not sure this time. City are more methodical under Enzo Maresca, with the way that he builds play from the back - they won't be swashbuckling, put it that way.

"I don't think he has changed much about his way of playing from when he was in charge at Chelsea, and United will be ready for that. I really like United boss Michael Carrick and the way he does not get too carried away, win or lose.

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"Everton's late equaliser would have felt like a loss last weekend, but United still haven't clicked in attack yet, and that's part of the problem for them. Then I look at the goals they are shipping too, and wonder if they are really good enough to keep City out?

"I am not so sure they are, but I also think they can hurt City. City have made a brilliant start, with four wins out of four in all competitions since the Premier League got underway, but if they looked a little vulnerable against Coventry, then United are going to cause them more problems." When asked for a scoreline, Sutton replied "2-2."

Alan Shearer - Draw

Newcastle hero Alan Shearer is in agreement with Sutton, believing that the two Manchester teams will play out an entertaining draw. He told Betfair: "Man United always step up, Man United always sort of puff their chest out when the odds are against them, and I think other than Man United fans, most people would think City are a better team, but United always seem to put in a good performance against them recently at Old Trafford.

"So, it wouldn't surprise me to see the same thing again, where they all increase 10 per cent for every Man United player. On paper, Man City should win, but there's a part of me that thinks because of the atmosphere, because of Man United and because of everything else that it'll be a lot closer than we think. So, I'm going to go for a score draw."

Rene Muelensteen - United win

In an exclusive interview with BestBettingSites, Rene Muelensteen stated that United can step up and deliver a tough performance against their rivals. The former midfielder said: "It’s not a bad time for United to play City.

"When Michael Carrick first took over, his first game was at home against City and everyone was impressed by that performance. Enzo Maresca's City have made a strong start by winning games, but they are still finding their feet and playing differently than they did under Pep Guardiola.

"It’s a great moment for United to step up, show their teeth, and deliver a convincing performance. I'm predicting a 2-1 win for Manchester United. I can't see City failing to score. They're too good, and United are conceding. I'm still going to be a little biased though, 2-1 to United."

Peter Crouch - City win

Peter Crouch believes that United are capable of damaging City, but Maresca's squad should ultimately come out on top. Speaking on That Peter Crouch Podcast, the former Tottenham striker said: "I think it might be the catalyst for them really.

"I know City have won all three but I don’t think they’ve been in top form and I think United can hurt you. I look at [Bryan] Mbeumo, [Matheus] Cunha, [Bruno] Fernandes, [Marcus] Rashford, there’s players in there, they can hurt you.

"Usually for now, I would say United. But it’s been biting me every week, I think I’ve been a bit too relaxed with my predictions and that’s biting me on the arse big time. So I’m going to have to go 1-0 to Manchester City."

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