Dugout Discussion

Man Utd v Man City team news: Semenyo starts, Cunha benched

17 January 2026 815 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
Share:

The Manchester derby kicks off Gameweek 22 of Fantasy Premier League (FPL).

United v City gets underway at 12.30pm GMT.

TEAM NEWS

Both sides have had cup ties since their last Premier League outings but if we’re comparing today’s starting XIs to Gameweek 21, both head coaches have rung the changes.

New interim Manchester United boss Michael Carrick makes four alterations from the 2-2 draw at Burnley.

Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo are back from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and straight into Carrick’s first starting XI.

Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko are the high-profile casualties of their recalls. Those two drop to the bench.

The more predictable changes see Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo come in for Ayden Heaven and Manuel Ugarte.

If it is a 4-2-3-1 as many are anticipating, then Patrick Dorgu looks set for another ‘out of position’ run-out on the wing.

As for Manchester City, Antoine Semenyo makes his first Premier League start for his new club.

The winger had lined up in both of City’s cup matches this week but gets his league bow here, replacing Tijjani Reijnders from the Gameweek 21 side.

Rodri for Nico Gonzalez is also a straightforward switch in midfield.

Pep Guardiola has had his hand forced with one change, as Matheus Nunes is not in the squad due to illness. Rico Lewis gets his first Premier League start since August.

LINE-UPS

Manchester United XI: Lammens, Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw, Mainoo, Casemiro, Amad, Fernandes, Dorgu, Mbeumo.

Subs: Bayindir, Heaven, Malacia, Yoro, J Fletcher, Mount, Ugarte, Cunha, Sesko.

Manchester City XI: Donnarumma, Lewis, Khusanov, Alleyne, Ake, Rodrigo, Bernardo, Semenyo, Foden, Doku, Haaland.

Subs: Trafford, Bettinelli, Reijnders, Cherki, Ait-Nouri, O’Reilly, McAidoo, Mukasa, Mfuni.

price change predictions
815 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. WVA
    • 9 Years
    2 months, 18 days ago

    Haaland OFF

    Open Controls
  2. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    2 months, 18 days ago

    Robot off

    Open Controls
  3. Tonyawesome69
    • 7 Years
    2 months, 18 days ago

    Bruno +2 defcon points!

    Open Controls
    1. Defcons are for Kinnear
      • 12 Years
      2 months, 18 days ago

      He wasn't supposed to get them playing in the 10

      Open Controls
  4. brianutd-why always we? 20
    • 14 Years
    2 months, 18 days ago

    Oh dear robot

    Open Controls
  5. Clintymints
    • 16 Years
    2 months, 18 days ago

    Cunha sub 1 Dorgu sub 2

    Rip

    Open Controls
  6. Waynoo
    • 12 Years
    2 months, 18 days ago

    Awful GW already, sick of this "game"

    Open Controls
    1. Sgt. Schultz
      • 9 Years
      2 months, 18 days ago

      Sem Foden owner?

      Open Controls
  7. Atimis
    • 9 Years
    2 months, 18 days ago

    And went Haaland over Ekitike because Ekitike could be sub off earlier buahahaha

    Open Controls
    1. Atimis
      • 9 Years
      2 months, 18 days ago

      F it I will stop reading anything FPL related, it was just so stupid to (c) Haaland this week, stil got myself convinced

      Open Controls
    2. Clintymints
      • 16 Years
      2 months, 18 days ago

      Haaland didn’t sit well with me this week but hard to go against the grain

      Kept Ekitike for the Burnley game through all his absences so hopefully something happens

      Open Controls
  8. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    2 months, 18 days ago

    Haaland (c) fail...and to GW from the dunny...

    Open Controls
  9. JBG
    • 7 Years
    2 months, 18 days ago

    Hahaha thank you Pep, love you

    Open Controls
  10. Thanos
    • 4 Years
    2 months, 18 days ago

    Haaland subbed!!!!!

    Successful as a non captain.

    Watkins you better not S*ite your pants mate!!

    Open Controls
    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 months, 18 days ago

      Brilliant

      Open Controls
    2. Clintymints
      • 16 Years
      2 months, 18 days ago

      Hopefully pays off

      Open Controls
  11. tucaoneo
    • 7 Years
    2 months, 18 days ago

    Don't worry Pep, I'm sure things will turn around if you keep buying up everyone in my FPL team...

    Open Controls
  12. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 months, 18 days ago

    Cunha matches Haaland (c) lol

    Open Controls
  13. Scapegoat Salah
    • 9 Years
    2 months, 18 days ago

    If Carlsberg made fpl weeks!

    Open Controls
  14. PartyTime
    • 4 Years
    2 months, 18 days ago

    Always trust Gandhi bro

    Open Controls
  15. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 months, 18 days ago

    50/50 decisions this week:
    - Haaland (C) vs. Ekitike (C)
    - Transfer in Enzo vs. Bruno F
    - Bench Thiaw or Alderete

    Going to be on the wrong side of all of them. Fed up of this run of bad luck lol.

    Open Controls
    1. Thanos
      • 4 Years
      2 months, 18 days ago

      Let us know your 50/50 for next week 😉

      Open Controls
    2. Qaiss
      • 10 Years
      2 months, 18 days ago

      Haaland blanking isn’t bad luck. He hasn’t looked good for weeks. I captained him too

      Ekitike haul still needed

      Open Controls
      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 months, 18 days ago

        I mean, it is. He had a couple of good shots cleared today including a goal line clearance..

        Open Controls
        1. SalahFingers
          • 8 Years
          2 months, 18 days ago

          2 total shots according to flashscore.

          0.13 xG

          3/5 accurate passes (60%)

          14 touches total (almost lowest on the team)

          2 touches in opponents box.

          so while he could still score with those stats. Those are bad bad bad stats.

          Open Controls
    3. WVA
      • 9 Years
      2 months, 18 days ago

      Enzo v Bruno ain’t a 50/50

      Open Controls
      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 months, 18 days ago

        Haha don't be contrary for the sake of it. Long-term, no brainer. For next two, basically everyone here says don't get Bruno F.

        Open Controls
  16. el polako
    • 8 Years
    2 months, 18 days ago

    Congrats to Ekitike captainers.

    Open Controls
    1. PartyTime
      • 4 Years
      2 months, 18 days ago

      Watkins cappers have the biggest dish

      Open Controls
  17. WVA
    • 9 Years
    2 months, 18 days ago

    Who would you prefer next week?

    Bruno
    Semenyo

    Open Controls
    1. JBG
      • 7 Years
      2 months, 18 days ago

      I never prefer Semen, so Bruno

      Open Controls
  18. Fifa las vegas
    • 13 Years
    2 months, 18 days ago

    Might just have to do Foden > Bruno tonight and avoid all the price changes

    Open Controls
  19. Mr. O'Connell
    • 13 Years
    2 months, 18 days ago

    United could get 6 or 7 here

    Open Controls
    1. JBG
      • 7 Years
      2 months, 18 days ago

      Should've*

      Open Controls
  20. Scapegoat Salah
    • 9 Years
    2 months, 18 days ago

    My bench:

    Dubravka | Dorgu | El Kroupi | Gundmundsson

    Could be a big one rofl

    Open Controls
    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 months, 18 days ago

      Five different players then

      Including your Foden and Thiago

      Open Controls
      1. Scapegoat Salah
        • 9 Years
        2 months, 18 days ago

        Yeah but the budget defenders all similar price range was thinking more structure same etc

        Open Controls
  21. F4L
    • 11 Years
    2 months, 18 days ago

    (R)ice do your thing later please

    Open Controls
  22. Kaneyonero
    • 9 Years
    2 months, 18 days ago

    If Dorgu scores again...

    Open Controls
  23. Fifa las vegas
    • 13 Years
    2 months, 18 days ago

    I’m going to have to try going against Haaland soon enough

    Open Controls
    1. Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 18 days ago

      Just not next week 😆

      Open Controls
      1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 15 Years
        2 months, 18 days ago

        Could be rested

        Open Controls
    2. Qaiss
      • 10 Years
      2 months, 18 days ago

      Only game that looks bad for him is Liverpool away but alternatives aren’t great

      Open Controls
  24. REDMOND IN SANDALS
    • 5 Years
    2 months, 18 days ago

    city 1 shot on target is embarrassing

    Open Controls
  25. Jet5605
    • 11 Years
    2 months, 18 days ago

    Dorgu first on my bench. Praying for Tim or Gab being out

    Open Controls
  26. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 13 Years
    2 months, 18 days ago

    What a bunch of frauds United are.
    Downed tools until they got rid of Amorin. And now today completely different animal. Bunch of over paid tossers.

    Open Controls
    1. Clintymints
      • 16 Years
      2 months, 18 days ago

      City have zero defense too at the minute tbf

      Open Controls
    2. Mr. O'Connell
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 18 days ago

      Is pretty much always the way

      Open Controls
  27. FOREST FOREVER 2
    • 1 Year
    2 months, 18 days ago

    The idea of going with 4/5 city doesn't seem so appealing anymore.

    Open Controls
  28. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 15 Years
    2 months, 18 days ago

    How is that not a yellow for Bruno?

    Open Controls
    1. WVA
      • 9 Years
      2 months, 18 days ago

      He’ll get 3 baps whatever

      Open Controls
  29. All Hail K
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    2 months, 18 days ago

    Maybe time to sub Pep.

    Open Controls
  30. JBG
    • 7 Years
    2 months, 18 days ago

    I genuinely wonder if Pep will rest the Robot vs Wolves?? Considering he's comments about him being tired and CL matches coming up

    Open Controls

You need to be logged in to post a comment.