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

17 January 2026 812 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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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.

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812 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Tonyawesome69
    • 7 Years
    2 hours, 48 mins ago

    Come on Bruno, another attacking return to get 3 bonus points over the line

    Bonus Points
    3 - Dorgu (42)
    2 - B.Fernandes (35)
    1 - Mbeumo (25)

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    1. WVA
      • 9 Years
      2 hours, 46 mins ago

      He’ll get 3

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    2. F4L
      • 11 Years
      2 hours, 45 mins ago

      hes been immense, must have 6+ chances created

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    3. Mr. O'Connell
      • 13 Years
      2 hours, 45 mins ago

      There will be another goal

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  2. Bigbars
    • 15 Years
    2 hours, 47 mins ago

    I love some of the keyboard rage on here today. Ive done it also.

    Many of us are in the same boat. Yes we could have made inroads on our rivals with some fortuitous choices, but thems the breaks. I picked Haaland as captain, I could have gone ekitike but doubts over his mins and whether he would even start, I also had oreilly as no 2 sub an dorku no 3, but we live to fight another day.

    On paper it was the right decision to bench or transfer out dorgu, easy for us all in hindsight to say otherwise.

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  3. tiger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 hours, 47 mins ago

    At least Haaland helped City to beat mighty Exeter though...that's what's important here, right Pep?

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    1. WVA
      • 9 Years
      1 hour, 48 mins ago

      Yeah very poor from Pep

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      1. tiger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        1 hour, 48 mins ago

        especially when he keeps telling us, that 'Haaland is exhausted'

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  4. The Night Trunker.
    • 2 Years
    2 hours, 46 mins ago

    Slabhead has been immense today.

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  5. keefy59
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 hours, 46 mins ago

    If the Pope had intervened & told Amorim to play 4231
    United would be top of he league by now .

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  6. JBG
    • 7 Years
    2 hours, 46 mins ago

    Dorgu 15pts on my bench, can only laugh.. but as a MU fan, mostly out of joy!

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  7. OverTinker
    • 7 Years
    2 hours, 46 mins ago

    Dorgu second on bench. And he does nothing when I start him

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  8. Pompel
    • 11 Years
    2 hours, 46 mins ago

    Nightmare gw - Dorgu and Cunha firmly stuck on bench by O’Reilly and Foden. Time to rage quit

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    1. All Hail K
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      1 hour, 48 mins ago

      O'Reilly, Ake, Lewis, Khusanov... not exactly the Dream Team at the back.

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    2. OverTinker
      • 7 Years
      1 hour, 48 mins ago

      Same dorgu on bench and Cunha transfer out

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    3. Clintymints
      • 16 Years
      1 hour, 47 mins ago

      Same. Made sense before united decided to try

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  9. The Reptile
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 hours, 45 mins ago

    Foden so poor today –

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  10. tbos83
    • 5 Years
    2 hours, 45 mins ago

    Absolutely disastrous start to the gw. Any chance Gabriel is benched so I get Dorgu haul?

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    1. All Hail K
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      1 hour, 59 mins ago

      You started Gabriel ahead of Dorgu!!!???

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      1. SalahFingers
        • 8 Years
        1 hour, 57 mins ago

        Gabriel should be started over everyone. He's almost literally the most consistent scorer in the game.

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        1. All Hail K
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          1 hour, 43 mins ago

          I'm just trolling mate.

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  11. OverTinker
    • 7 Years
    2 hours, 45 mins ago

    Foden to Bruno looks so easy now

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    1. WVA
      • 9 Years
      2 hours ago

      Crazy given fixtures but I’m tempted

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      1. All Hail K
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        1 hour, 58 mins ago

        Has all the makings of a FF trap doesn't it.

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        1. SalahFingers
          • 8 Years
          1 hour, 54 mins ago

          man utd are away to arsenal next week. I definitely wouldn't right now. Next week maybe

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  12. Thanos
    • 4 Years
    2 hours, 44 mins ago

    This performance makes it looks like it was purely down to Amomrim's tactics.

    Chained Bruno, lacked attaching intent and midfield was missing.

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  13. F4L
    • 11 Years
    2 hours, 44 mins ago

    amad post

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    1. Yes Ndidi
      • 6 Years
      2 hours, 42 mins ago

      What does it say?

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  14. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 hours, 44 mins ago

    Any chance Arteta gives Timber a full rest now the title is wrapped up? 😉

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    1. OverTinker
      • 7 Years
      2 hours, 43 mins ago

      I really hope but now they will not bench him

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  15. REDMOND IN SANDALS
    • 5 Years
    2 hours, 44 mins ago

    Bruno assist missed

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  16. F4L
    • 11 Years
    2 hours, 44 mins ago

    1 more SOT please united

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    1. F4L
      • 11 Years
      2 hours, 43 mins ago

      *actually was that a donna save?

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  17. Bigbars
    • 15 Years
    2 hours, 44 mins ago

    Could Amad be a viable transfer now.. hmmm

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    1. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 hours, 42 mins ago

      6.2m could be pretty decent value
      Quality footballer
      Bruno the priority though

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  18. JBG
    • 7 Years
    2 hours, 44 mins ago

    Oh ffs.. almost another Bruno assist

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  19. Mr. O'Connell
    • 13 Years
    2 hours, 43 mins ago

    Bruno fail

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  20. tiger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 hours, 43 mins ago

    Mount goal

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    1. tiger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      1 hour, 46 mins ago

      Cunha A

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  21. FPL Blow-In
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 hours, 43 mins ago

    United have been very good today

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  22. Thanos
    • 4 Years
    2 hours, 42 mins ago

    Red Devils 😎

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  23. WVA
    • 9 Years
    2 hours, 42 mins ago

    F off Cunha

    Another assist

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    1. Atimis
      • 9 Years
      2 hours, 42 mins ago

      At least no one started him

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      1. SalahFingers
        • 8 Years
        1 hour, 53 mins ago

        not even Man Utd started him

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  24. Atimis
    • 9 Years
    2 hours, 42 mins ago

    Just tired of bad decisions

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  25. F4L
    • 11 Years
    2 hours, 42 mins ago

    mount g
    cunha a

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  26. Thanos
    • 4 Years
    2 hours, 42 mins ago

    3-0

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  27. g40steve
    • 7 Years
    2 hours, 42 mins ago

    Mount 3-0

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  28. F4L
    • 11 Years
    2 hours, 42 mins ago

    will be offside check

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  29. Thanos
    • 4 Years
    2 hours, 42 mins ago

    This is the spanking United supporters have been waiting

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  30. REDMOND IN SANDALS
    • 5 Years
    2 hours, 42 mins ago

    Punished after selling Cuhna

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