Manchester rivals set for early-season litmus test at Old Trafford

After all the pre-season optimism, Manchester United’s start to the Premier League season has been inconsistent but Sunday’s derby against visiting Manchester City offers Michael Carrick’s side an early chance to show they are genuine contenders. City, meanwhile, arrive at Old Trafford with a perfect record under new manager Enzo Maresca, although their performances have suggested there is still work to do. The first Manchester derby of the campaign should therefore provide a clearer indication of where both clubs stand. Carrick’s impact at United last season as interim manager after the club’s parting of ways with Ruben Amorim in January was dramatic, beginning with a 2-0 home victory over City. His calm authority resulted in 12 wins from his 17 Premier League games in charge, with only two defeats, as United finished third and returned to the Champions League.

A surprisingly quiet transfer window this time in which Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos were the main signings was followed by an opening day 2-0 defeat by newly promoted Hull City – a result that gave United an abrupt reality check. Bruno Fernandes’s hat-trick inspired a 5-2 comeback victory against Ipswich Town but United were left frustrated as they conceded a stoppage-time equaliser in a 2-2 draw at Everton. UNITED’S DEFENSIVE WORRIES Former United defender Gary Neville highlighted their defending after the Everton game and believes that unless it is fixed it could become their Achilles heel this season. “I don’t think it’s going to go away and that’s my big fear,” the Sky Sports analyst said this week. City will provide an acid test, especially with Erling Haaland firing on all cylinders having scored both goals in the 2-0 win at Porto in the Champions League on Tuesday to make it five goals in three…