Manchester United · Euro Championship - Qualification · Attacker · #9 · England · 28 yrs
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 13: Erling Haaland of Manchester City celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammates during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on September 13, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) Manchester United failed to take advantage of a Phil Foden red card as Erling Haaland scored the winner for Manchester City in a heated derby at Old Trafford. The flashpoint came in the 23rd minute when Bruno Fernandes fouled Phil Foden on the touchline before giving his opponent an extra kick, which curiously did not lead to a booking. The red mist descended on the England international who lashed out, putting his studs into the United captain’s stomach, leaving Michael Oliver will little choice but to give Foden his marching orders. But despite their numerical advantage, a drab and uninspiring United failed to really test Gianluigi Donnarumma, though they came close when Marcus Rashford’s free-kick smacked the post. Sign up for In The Mixer, Metro's football newsletter Get exclusive analysis and previews of the biggest games every Friday. Sign up now for free. After a brighter start to the second-half, in which Kobbie Mainoo also hit the post, it seemed inevitable that the Red Devils would score, but instead it was Haaland who found the back of the net, tapping in Josko Gvardiol’s low cross. Confusion reigned, as the flag was raised and replays seemed to show the striker in a clearly offside position. But a VAR check revealed he was in fact perfectly onside, though questions remain other whether an offside Enzo Fernandez had interfered with the play. Foden’s red card seemed to hardly faze Enzo Maresca’s men, who remained largely in control of the match, with both Fernandez and Marc Guehi coming close to doubling the lead in the latter stages. Phil Foden was sent off during the 199th Manchester derby (Photo: Getty) Bryan Mbeumo and Harry Maguire both headed wide in search of an equaliser before Donnarumma denied the Cameroon forward in the 94th minute with a strong save. City maintain their 100 per cent start to the season but have lost their place at the top of the table to Arsenal – albeit only on goal difference. As for Michael Carrick’s side, they have now won just one of their opening four league games, leaving them in the bottom-half, with a tricky Carabao Cup clash against Brighton up next. Metro’s LIVE matchday blog will bring you all the build-up, confirmed team news and starting XIs, goal updates and minute-by-minute coverage. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
CHRIS WHEELER: It's the look of pure joy on Rashford's face that stands out all these years later. Leaping into the arms of Anthony Martial, United's new local hero had just scored the winner.
Teddy Sheringham believes neither Man Utd nor Man City are ‘top teams’ right now (Photo: talkSPORT) Teddy Sheringham believes Manchester United’s best hope of beating Manchester City is if Michael Carrick starts one star in Sunday’s huge Premier League derby. Under new manager Enzo Maresca, City have made a 100 per cent start to the Premier League season and are just ahead of Arsenal at the top of the table. United meanwhile have won just one of their opening three games, but Sheringham isn’t convinced by either side and thinks the big match is too close to call. ‘It’s a tough game, but I still think it can go either way,’ the former Red Devils striker told talkSPORT. Sign up for In The Mixer, Metro's football newsletter Get exclusive analysis and previews of the biggest games every Friday. Sign up now for free. ‘I don’t think either team are top notch these days. When you look at top teams now, I hate to say it, but Arsenal are the top team in the division and they’re the ones to beat. ‘I think everyone else is chasing them. I think both teams have got a lot of very good players, but still not top teams at the moment. ‘So, it could go either way on Sunday. Let’s hope it goes the Manchester United way, the red way. But it’ll be a tough game. I would probably go for a draw, but obviously I’ll be wanting Man United to win.’ Who will win the first Manchester derby of the season? (Photo: Getty) Carrick’s first-choice starting XI looks pretty set with the exception of the attack. In the last two league games, Matheus Cunha has started at centre-forward, with Marcus Rashford on the left. However, against Sabah in the Champions League on Thursday, Benjamin Sesko was the No.9 with Cunha on the wing. The decision paid off, with both finding the back of the net in a 4-0 win. Sesko scored nine in 17 games under Carrick last season and came off the bench to net what was nearly a late winner at Everton last week. Benjamin Sesko has started on the bench for Man Utd’s opening three games (Photo: Getty) Carrick has suggested he will rotate depending on the opposition, but Sheringham believes that United’s best chance of victory is when Sesko is in the team. ‘I like Sesko. I think he leads the line, brings other players into play and he can score goals. When you look at a centre-forward, that’s what you want from someone. ‘Back in the day, we used to have two centre-forwards. You used to work off each other. Playing that lone role is such a difficult one to play. POLL Poll Who should start at centre-forward for Man Utd? Benjamin SeskoCheck Matheus CunhaCheck OtherCheck Insight that cuts through the mountain of noise. Get expert analysis and fresh perspectives on the football stories that really matter. Email I agree to receive newsletters from Metro I agree to receive newsletters from Metro Sign UpSign UpThis site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy ‘Didier Drogba was probably the best at it. Samuel Eto’o had a way of playing it years ago. It’s very hard to score goals when you’re that lone player and I would find it very tough to do it. ‘What do you do? Put other players around him. Bruno Fernandes goes and joins in, Bryan Mbeumo joins in, Cunha joins in. ‘But there’s no real focal point if Sesko doesn’t play. So, I would like to say that he’ll be playing and give Man United a good chance of scoring goals as well as not conceding.’ For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
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