Manchester United vs Manchester City Tips, Bet Builder & Latest Odds
Manchester United interim head coach Michael Carrick gets his latest tenure underway with a visit to Old Trafford from title-chasing neighbours Manchester City on Saturday.
The former United midfielder served as caretaker manager for three games following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s sacking in 2021 and the club have turned to Carrick once again as they look to salvage their season.
With only the Premier League to focus on following their FA Cup exit last weekend, Champions League qualification is still within United’s grasp – but Carrick could hardly have been handed a tougher start with the visit of City followed by a trip to title favourites Arsenal.
For City, the early kick-off is a chance to put pressure on the Gunners as a win would take Pep Guardiola’s men to within three points of the league leaders, who face Nottingham Forest away in Saturday’s 5.30pm kick-off.
With much at stake, here are our betting tips and free bet offers for the Manchester derby.
Manchester United vs Manchester City Tips
Tip 1: Draw
I’m sitting on the fence with this one and there’s no point in pretending otherwise – but with good reason, as City have only won one of their last five meetings with Manchester United.
At a time when almost all other top sides have been taking points off United for fun, that’s a pretty tame recent record for Guardiola, and the fact they’ve drawn their last three league games will concern the Catalan.
Meanwhile, United have drawn each of their last three league games too, while despite proving a thorn in City’s side in recent seasons, they’ve only beaten them once in the last five meetings at Old Trafford.
Fresh optimism and creative freedom under Carrick should serve United well in the honeymoon period, but City’s superior quality should cancel that out. The best betting sites have 3/1 on the draw.
Tip 2: Amad Diallo to Score or Assist
Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo both returned from AFCON in time for Carrick’s first training session and the two could find themselves in direct competition for a spot in the starting XI, with United expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
If either of them are to get the nod, you would have to assume Diallo will be selected given his AFCON form. The winger has been one of the stars of the tournament with three goals and an assist and he’ll look to replicate that form for his club.
Carrick is known to favour youth, evidenced by a number of academy prospects invited to take part in his first training session, and with 23-year-old Diallo having proven himself on the big stage, he’s sure to be a key player under the new manager.
He may only have two Premier League goals to his name this season, but much of his talent was wasted as a wing-back under Ruben Amorim – he should excel in his natural position under Carrick and could pose City problems on Saturday.
Tip 3: Luke Shaw to be Carded, Draw & Diallo to Score
Having played four games in 16 days, Luke Shaw was rested for United’s FA Cup defeat at home to Brighton last time out, but he is expected to return to left-back for the visit of City.
If that’s the case, he could well come up against City’s rampant new signing Antoine Semenyo, who has surely done enough in his first two games for the club to warrant a start at Old Trafford.
The January signing from Bournemouth has two goals in two games and Shaw could find Semenyo a real handful if Guardiola starts him on the right wing.
The Ghana international scored and assisted from the left flank on his debut in the 10-1 drubbing of Exeter last weekend, but Guardiola opted to use him on the right in his first big test as a City player against Newcastle in the EFL Cup on Tuesday.
Once again, he was electric, and was unfortunate to have another goal chalked off by VAR. Given how well he fared against top opposition on the right flank at St. James’ Park, Guardiola will likely utilise him there again.
That could spell trouble for Shaw, who has been booked three times in his last nine Premier League outings. Back that trend to continue against City on Saturday, and if you combine our three football betting tips for this match in a bet builder you'll get 25/1 on the outcome on Paddy Power.
Manchester United vs Manchester City Odds
Check out the latest odds from our pick of Premier League betting sites ahead of Saturday's Manchester derby.
Where to Watch Manchester United vs Manchester City
Here's a look at how you can watch the game on Saturday.
TV Channel
The Manchester United vs Manchester City fixture will be shown live on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Ultra HDR on UK television, giving fans comprehensive live coverage of the derby.
Live Stream Information
For UK viewers wishing to watch online, the match will be available via live streaming on the Sky Go and Sky Sports+ apps with a valid Sky Sports subscription, and it can also be streamed through NOW TV with the appropriate Sky Sports package added to your account, ensuring access to the game on mobile or desktop devices.
Manchester United vs Manchester City Match Information
Here's everything you need to know before kick-off.
Kick-Off Time
The Manchester derby between Manchester United and Manchester City will kick off at 12:30pm on Saturday 17th January 2026, but fans can tune in well before this time to catch all the pre-match build-up on Sky Sports.
Fixture Date
This fixture is scheduled for Saturday 17th January 2026 and will be new Manchester United interim head coach Michael Carrick's first game in charge.
Stadium
Manchester United will host Manchester City at Old Trafford.
More Football Tips
Be sure to check out the rest of our Premier League betting tips this week.
