Manchester City host Manchester United in the Premier League following the international break.
The game takes place on Sunday, September 14, 2025.
Ahead of the game, Paul Merson has stated his prediction on Sportskeeda.
According to Merson, the game will end in 1-1 draw.
"I thought Manchester United were really good the other day against Burnley. It was a bit like the Manchester United of the old times. But they still needed a penalty at the end to win that game and that is a concern if you ask me," said Merson.
"Manchester City looked comfortable until the substitutions changed the game for Brighton. I'm looking for reasons to back City here and I can't find any if I'm being honest! They don't have a player like David Silva or Kevin De Bruyne anymore, so who is going to step up?
"Julian Alvarez was the kind of player who could have picked the ball up and pulled off something special in games like these, but they don't have him either! Erling Haaland isn't that type of a player, he relies on people like Silva and De Bruyne for service. And I've always said that Jeremy Doku is a hit-and-miss, so this isn't the dominant Manchester City we once knew.
"City were terrible against Tottenham at the Etihad. I actually think Manchester United's front-three can hurt them in this game. I say that despite having the opinion that United will not finish in the top six this season, so you can imagine what I think of City at the moment!
"I'm going to go for a draw but if someone told me I had to pick a winner, I would only choose Manchester United. I just don't think Ruben Amorim's men will lose this game."