Manchester United find themselves at a pivotal crossroads as they prepare for the highly anticipated Manchester derby against City on September 14, 2025. The club’s recent form, injury concerns, and a swirl of goalkeeper drama have set the stage for a contest brimming with intrigue, uncertainty, and, perhaps, opportunity.
The build-up to the derby has been dominated by questions surrounding United’s goalkeeping situation. Former Chelsea star Craig Burley didn’t mince words when he assessed the performances of United’s shot-stoppers. Speaking to ESPN, Burley declared, “Altay Bayindir, they can’t play him. He might be okay at shot-stopping, which is what goalkeepers are paid for, but he’s absolutely useless at dealing with balls in from set-pieces.” Burley’s stinging critique highlighted the pressure on Bayindir, who has struggled to instill confidence since his arrival.
Burley’s scrutiny didn’t end with Bayindir. He turned his attention to Andre Onana, United’s £47 million signing from Inter Milan, who was initially tipped to bring stability and authority between the sticks. “He cost a lot of money but he wasn’t able to marshal a back four. I thought Onana would be the real deal, it looked that way in Italy. I thought he might have a Peter Schmeichel-esque aura about him and boss about players but it hasn’t happened,” Burley lamented. Such candid assessments have only added fuel to the fire as United’s coaching staff, led by Ruben Amorim, weigh their options for the derby.
In response to the mounting concerns, United made a late move in the summer transfer window, snapping up 23-year-old Senne Lammens from Antwerp. Some have dubbed this a “panic buy,” but Burley believes Lammens faces a mammoth challenge. “This new lad [Lammens] needs to be able to marshal a back four, make saves and have an authority and make a statement at set-pieces. That’s what every team is going to do against United now, they’re going to launch balls into the box and the goalkeeper needs to be able to deal with it. He’s either going to sink or swim. We don’t really know how he’s going to handle this scenario,” Burley explained.
The uncertainty doesn’t stop there. Andre Onana’s future at Old Trafford hangs in the balance, with Turkish side Trabzonspor reportedly pushing to secure the Cameroonian on loan before their transfer window closes on September 12. However, the deal is far from done. Onana is said to be reviewing the contract terms, and his decision will shape United’s depth chart in the coming weeks. For now, Onana’s status remains unresolved, and he’s slipped down the pecking order under Amorim’s stewardship.
While the goalkeeper conundrum steals headlines, United’s midfield has its own storylines. Kobbie Mainoo, the 20-year-old academy graduate, has endured a rollercoaster twelve months. After making his Premier League debut in November 2023 under Erik ten Hag, Mainoo quickly established himself as a key figure alongside Casemiro in United’s midfield during the 2024-2025 campaign. His crowning moment came in the FA Cup final, where he scored the winner, before representing England in the Euro 2024 final against Spain.
Yet, since Ruben Amorim took charge, Mainoo’s role has become less certain. Despite his previous consistency, he found himself out of the starting lineup and even requested a loan for the 2025-2026 season—a request the club ultimately denied. Former manager Ten Hag once praised Mainoo’s “scanning” ability, noting, “His scanning. It always looks like he has time. Because of his scanning, he is running free and then scanning to see the options and then make the right decisions. He can delay, he can speed up and he makes the right decisions.”
Amorim’s system, which typically features two deeper-lying midfielders and emphasizes wide play, hasn’t always played to Mainoo’s strengths. However, with mounting injuries and the need for composure in the middle, Mainoo is expected to see more consistent action in the coming weeks. His vision and decision-making could be vital as United seek to control games and dictate tempo, especially in high-pressure fixtures like the derby.
Injury concerns further complicate Amorim’s preparations. United’s summer signing Matheus Cunha limped off during the 3-2 victory over Burnley, prompting fears of a lengthy layoff. After withdrawing from Brazil’s national team for the international break, subsequent reports offered a glimmer of hope: Cunha’s setback is less severe than initially feared, and there’s growing optimism he could feature in the derby. Cunha himself fueled speculation with a cryptic social media update, hinting at his determination to return swiftly.
Midfielder Mason Mount is another doubt for the City clash. The England international lasted just 30 minutes against Burnley before being replaced by Mainoo, and his unspecified injury has left his availability in question. Amorim will be desperate to have both Cunha and Mount fit, given their importance to United’s attacking and midfield balance.
Despite the turbulence, United head into the derby buoyed by back-to-back league wins. The Red Devils’ recent performances have offered a glimmer of hope to fans, even as questions swirl around the squad’s depth, fitness, and tactical direction. Amorim, still relatively new to the Premier League, faces mounting scrutiny but retains support from some corners of the football world. As one former United striker put it, Ruben Amorim should be given time to implement his vision and steady the ship at Old Trafford.
Meanwhile, Manchester City have their own issues to contend with. A string of underwhelming results has ratcheted up the pressure at the Etihad, making this derby a must-watch for neutrals and die-hard supporters alike. The fixture promises drama, unpredictability, and, perhaps, a few surprises as both sides look to assert dominance in the city.
All eyes will be on Amorim’s team selection, particularly in goal. Will he stick with Bayindir despite Burley’s damning assessment? Could Onana be handed a reprieve, or will Lammens make his Premier League bow in one of the season’s biggest matches? In midfield, will Mainoo’s scanning and composure help United wrest control from City’s vaunted engine room?
As the countdown to the Manchester derby continues, United’s fans find themselves equal parts anxious and hopeful. The next chapter in this storied rivalry is about to unfold, with the outcome as unpredictable as ever. Whatever happens, the stakes couldn’t be higher—and every decision, from the goalkeeper to the midfield, will be scrutinized under the brightest of spotlights.
With key players racing to regain fitness and new signings eager to prove themselves, United’s trip to the Etihad promises to be a defining moment in their season. The clock is ticking, the narratives are swirling, and when the whistle blows next weekend, the world will be watching to see who rises to the occasion.
