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

17 January 2026 815 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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815 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. FPL Blow-In
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 months, 27 days ago

    3 goals ruled out for offside and Amad hit the post. Could have been very different had Dalot been sent off but they dominated and deserved the win

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    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 27 days ago

      Dalot should never be allowed to set foot on a football pitch again

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      1. Mr. O'Connell
        • 13 Years
        2 months, 27 days ago

        What did he do?

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        1. FPL Blow-In
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          2 months, 27 days ago

          Studs on the Knee 10mins in and only yellow card shown. Probably the incorrect call

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    2. Ignasi M
      • 8 Years
      2 months, 27 days ago

      Maguire also hit bar. so that's 2 goals, 3 offsides goals, and two woodwork = 7 goals. Man Utd 7-0 City.

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  2. Mighty Duck
    • 1 Year
    2 months, 27 days ago

    Arsenal first league win in 20 years, wow.

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    1. iFash@FPL
      • 2 Years
      2 months, 27 days ago

      DON’T JINX IT NOW, PLEASE!!! 🙂

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      1. yousunkmybattleship
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        2 months, 27 days ago

        No way they will bottle it now, guaranteed in the bag

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    2. Deulofail
      • 10 Years
      2 months, 27 days ago

      6-point lead with 17 games to play

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    3. Gudjohnsen
      • 9 Years
      2 months, 27 days ago

      22 years

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  3. The Mandalorian
    • 13 Years
    2 months, 27 days ago

    Peps highline was ridiculous.

    City could have lost by 6 or 7.

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    1. MJF
        2 months, 27 days ago

        Did it v Brighton too.

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      • Mr. O'Connell
        • 13 Years
        2 months, 27 days ago

        Pep got it massively wrong. 2-0 flatters them greatly

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        1. Ignasi M
          • 8 Years
          2 months, 27 days ago

          yeah Man Utd could have easily scored 7.

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      • F4L
        • 11 Years
        2 months, 27 days ago

        its like pep came with the set up to play most into united's hand. high line, no midfield, give bruno the time he wants to find the runners inbehind. all with a second string defence. very odd

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        1. F4L
          • 11 Years
          2 months, 27 days ago

          *and after the first half with so many warning signs, he doubles down on it taking off foden for cherki who does even less defensive work.

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          1. The Mandalorian
            • 13 Years
            2 months, 27 days ago

            Chetki usually has higher DC than Foden but Foden pressing and build up play is better.

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      • tiger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        2 months, 27 days ago

        It's the other Pep...Ljinders, I reckon he is not as great as he thinks he is with tactics.

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    2. Thanos
      • 4 Years
      2 months, 27 days ago

      Got the 3 points was crucial but the performance speaks so much louder.

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    3. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 27 days ago

      Still want to see the Lima for the Mount goal

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    4. ZeBestee
      • 11 Years
      2 months, 27 days ago

      Any chance one of Gabriel/Timber is completely rested?

      Dorgu first on bench 😛

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      1. TheBiffas
        • 5 Years
        2 months, 27 days ago

        White did play well in the week

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        1. ZeBestee
          • 11 Years
          2 months, 27 days ago

          Yeah also Gabriel had 3 games in a span of 7 days, if Calafiori is back, then I can see a benching/rest for him

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      2. Sun Jihai
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        2 months, 27 days ago

        White could start but Timber would be LB as Arteta doesn't trust MLS (or will come on anyway!)

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        1. ZeBestee
          • 11 Years
          2 months, 27 days ago

          Cala could be back, but Timber got his rest in the FA cup so I dont see him rested

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      3. Ignasi M
        • 8 Years
        2 months, 27 days ago

        No. White - Saliba - Gabriel - Timber

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        1. Gubby-Allen
          • 4 Years
          2 months, 27 days ago

          I thought that read as an injury list

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    5. ZeBestee
      • 11 Years
      2 months, 27 days ago

      Biggest issue for City is Rico Lewis, the guy is not a RB, he is a liability and weak. Pep hasn't learnt

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      1. Deulofail
        • 10 Years
        2 months, 27 days ago

        Biggest issue is cheating

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        1. DARE TO BISCAN
          • 7 Years
          2 months, 27 days ago

          Nah. Brown envelopes all round. 115, what now?

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      2. Twisted Saltergater
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        2 months, 27 days ago

        Pep always poops the bed in big games. Overthinks.

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        1. ZeBestee
          • 11 Years
          2 months, 27 days ago

          I don't think it's Pep issue, rather their backline was a makeshift and inexperienced

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          1. Twisted Saltergater
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            2 months, 27 days ago

            Rico Lewis over Reijnders??

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            1. ZeBestee
              • 11 Years
              2 months, 27 days ago

              I dont expect Reijnders to play at RB

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              1. Twisted Saltergater
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 16 Years
                2 months, 27 days ago

                sorry, yep, for a second I thought he was in midfield

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                1. ZeBestee
                  • 11 Years
                  2 months, 27 days ago

                  Cheers mate

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    6. I have no Wirtz
        2 months, 27 days ago

        And there I was wondering whether to start Cherki or Kroupi.

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      • BobbyDoesNotLook
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 months, 27 days ago

        I have had
        - Foden only for 6 blanks.
        - Thiago only for 2 blanks.
        - Ekitike only for one assist in 4 games. (Okay let's see today)
        - Dorgu one assist in 3. Second sub today while Stach is out so I will get Andersen only.

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      • Twisted Saltergater
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        2 months, 27 days ago

        Cunha > Bruno exact money. Would give me:

        Verbruggen • Dubravka
        Gabriel • Guehi • Konate • Mukiele • Dorgu
        Saka • Foden • Bruno F • Enzo • Wilson
        Haaland • Ekitike • Thiago

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        1. Under my Cucurella
          • 10 Years
          2 months, 27 days ago

          Yes

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          1. Twisted Saltergater
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            2 months, 27 days ago

            cheers!

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        2. Jet5605
          • 11 Years
          2 months, 27 days ago

          Do it. Cunha isn't nailed and will be sharing minutes with others

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          1. Twisted Saltergater
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            2 months, 27 days ago

            I think Cunha plays LW most of the time. Dorgu today to have more threat on the counter, but I get your point.

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      • Bigbars
        • 15 Years
        2 months, 27 days ago

        Yes it was an improved performance, but my cynical hat is on and could it be that they were so embarrassed being dumped from the cup that they all stepped up, yet the media will push a narrative about carrick's super performance, but only results will show that.. one game lads... need to push on and replicate this more for people to believe the corner has been turned.

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        1. Twisted Saltergater
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          2 months, 27 days ago

          Good players in the right positions. Sensible and solid 4231 from which to counter attack. It’s not rocket science.

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          1. FFS ManU
            • 3 Years
            2 months, 27 days ago

            Yes, better tactics and probably better motivation of the players. Mainoo's performance showed that Amorim was mistaken to make so little use of him.

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            1. Bigbars
              • 15 Years
              2 months, 27 days ago

              sometimes the commentators dont do themselves any favours... mainoo's legs have gone, he'll be going off soon, this was around 55mins.... oh look, he played the entire game.

              Let's hope it wasnt the motivation of the derby game and they can kick on next week... Plus it'll also mix up the FPL template a tad too.

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      • Udogie-style
        • 2 Years
        2 months, 27 days ago

        If I've got Cherki first bench and Dorgu second bench, playing 3-4-3, do I get Dorgu on if one of my defenders don't play? Chances are low but I need some sort of hope!

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        1. F4L
          • 11 Years
          2 months, 27 days ago

          yup

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        2. iFash@FPL
          • 2 Years
          2 months, 27 days ago

          Yes.

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          1. Udogie-style
            • 2 Years
            2 months, 27 days ago

            Cheers guys! At least a small sliver of hope remains haha

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      • Ignasi M
        • 8 Years
        2 months, 27 days ago

        Wow. City were lucky to not lose that game at least 6-1.

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        1. Twisted Saltergater
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          2 months, 27 days ago

          Not at it at all today.

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        2. All Hail K
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          2 months, 27 days ago

          2-0 is not much better.

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      • Jet5605
        • 11 Years
        2 months, 27 days ago

        I think Foden is still a sell despite Wolves. He's sharing minutes with Cherki now. Feels like owning Woltemade / Wissa. Might just get Bruno F this week despite ARS next weekend

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      • Jet5605
        • 11 Years
        2 months, 27 days ago

        Dorgu owners holding for now?

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        1. Sun Jihai
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          2 months, 27 days ago

          Looked great today
          Easy bench next GW and then play thereafter

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          1. Sun Jihai
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            2 months, 27 days ago

            (though given his hauls against Newcastle and Man City you probably want to start him next GW lol)

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      • Saka White Rice
        • 11 Years
        2 months, 27 days ago

        How many casuals will do Foden to Bruno tonight?

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        1. Jordan.
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          2 months, 27 days ago

          122

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        2. iFash@FPL
          • 2 Years
          2 months, 27 days ago

          Not only casuals mate!

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      • PogChamp
        • 14 Years
        2 months, 27 days ago

        Never considered playing Dorgu and is 3rd on my bench. At least I never sold him.

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      • adstomko
        • 9 Years
        2 months, 27 days ago

        Such a shame Saka & Palmer are *potentially* not worth owning against Haaland, to make the game even more interesting

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      • All Hail K
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        2 months, 27 days ago

        The only thing I've done right so far is having left Semenyo on the bench.

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      • Flynny
        • 11 Years
        2 months, 27 days ago

        Foden and cherki owners.....guess we have to keep for wolves???

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        1. All Hail K
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          2 months, 27 days ago

          Exactly. You know how FF works. You rage transfer them all out, then bring them all back in after the Wolves haul.

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      • ZeBestee
        • 11 Years
        2 months, 27 days ago

        Cunha to Bruno is on cards, even with Arsenal away next. Bruno is too good.

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      • Scapegoat Salah
        • 9 Years
        2 months, 27 days ago

        Any chance I get Dorgu off the bench?

        Roefs
        Gabriel | Senesi | Andersen
        Saka | Foden | Rogers | Rice | Bruno
        Haaland | Thiago

        Dubravka | El Kroupi | Gudmundsson | Dorgu

        Thanks

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        1. Sun Jihai
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          2 months, 27 days ago

          No

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          1. Scapegoat Salah
            • 9 Years
            2 months, 27 days ago

            Nvm team too good I don’t who to start each week

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            1. Scapegoat Salah
              • 9 Years
              2 months, 27 days ago

              *know

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        2. ZeBestee
          • 11 Years
          2 months, 27 days ago

          Lol, close to zero

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        3. Scapegoat Salah
          • 9 Years
          2 months, 27 days ago

          Tell you what I’m half tempted to do Foden to Bruno and just let that team run for the whole season as it is

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        4. All Hail K
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          2 months, 27 days ago

          He's pretty deep mate unfortunately.

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          1. Scapegoat Salah
            • 9 Years
            2 months, 27 days ago

            It’s cool, I’m used to it now with having El Kroupi on it a few gameweeks

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            1. All Hail K
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 16 Years
              2 months, 27 days ago

              Still a lot of football to go.

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        5. fedolefan
          • 11 Years
          2 months, 27 days ago

          You get 5 City off your bench.

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        6. Jet5605
          • 11 Years
          2 months, 27 days ago

          You basically need to kidnap Gabriel and Senesi. Good luck

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          1. Scapegoat Salah
            • 9 Years
            2 months, 27 days ago

            And Gundmundsson lol

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        7. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          2 months, 27 days ago

          We've gone from 2 different in the 11 to 5 with the subs

          But it's actually 7 differences!

          Unless that is Bruno F that you have sneaked in?

          8 different players

          From the same teams??

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      • sirmorbach
        • 9 Years
        2 months, 27 days ago

        A. Cunha to Bruno
        B. Cunha to Mbeumo
        C. Keep Cunha

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        1. ZeBestee
          • 11 Years
          2 months, 27 days ago

          A easy.

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      • All Hail K
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        2 months, 27 days ago

        Like to know how many people tried the cheeky ManC quadruple up.

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      • RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 months, 27 days ago

        Chalobah underestimated here, advices to bench, 2 defcons again, so far 1 bap, 2nd best def in the game only 2 points behind Gabriel.

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        1. RamaJama
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          2 months, 27 days ago

          But of course, Fab yet to plsyv

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        2. JBG
          • 7 Years
          2 months, 26 days ago

          Chelsea CSs are a mistery... they concede so many chances and shots on target, but yet keep a CS. Brentford should've had a least 1 goal yesterday.

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      • Old Man
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        2 months, 27 days ago

        One of my lowest ever scores. 25 all out. Wonderful.

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