Manchester derby headlines Premier League return as Isak prepares for Liverpool debut

The Premier League returns this weekend with a high-stakes Manchester derby, as Manchester City look to avoid a third straight defeat when they host neighbours Manchester United. Both teams have made slow starts to the season, with just one win from their opening three games, adding pressure on City boss Pep Guardiola and United manager Ruben Amorim.

City’s back-to-back losses against Tottenham and Brighton have raised concerns over Guardiola’s revamped squad, which finished third last season. Their injury list continues to grow, with Omar Marmoush ruled out of Sunday’s clash due to a knee problem. Rayan Cherki and Mateo Kovacic remain unavailable, while John Stones, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Rico Lewis, Nico O’Reilly and Abdukodir Khusanov all withdrew from international duty with fitness doubts.

United, meanwhile, needed a stoppage-time penalty from Bruno Fernandes to edge past Burnley for their first win of the season. Amorim’s side were previously beaten by Arsenal, held by Fulham, and crashed out of the League Cup in a shock defeat to fourth-tier Grimsby Town.

Elsewhere, all eyes will be on Alexander Isak as he prepares to make his debut for Liverpool. The Swedish striker joined the league leaders in a British-record £125 million move from Newcastle on deadline day, a transfer that stirred controversy among Magpies supporters. Liverpool boss Arne Slot now has an abundance of attacking options, including Mohamed Salah, Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike and Cody Gakpo. Isak is expected to feature when the Reds travel to Burnley on Sunday, looking to maintain their perfect record and extend their lead at the top.

Nottingham Forest also made headlines this week, appointing Ange Postecoglou as their new manager after parting ways with Nuno Espirito Santo. The Australian makes an immediate return to north London, facing Arsenal just three months after his controversial sacking by Tottenham despite delivering the club’s first trophy in 17 years. Postecoglou now faces the demands of Forest’s ambitious owner Evangelos Marinakis, who dismissed Nuno despite the club securing a European return after three decades.

Weekend fixtures:

Saturday (all times GMT)

Arsenal v Nottingham Forest (11:30)

Bournemouth v Brighton

Crystal Palace v Sunderland

Everton v Aston Villa

Fulham v Leeds

Newcastle v Wolves

West Ham v Tottenham (16:30)

Brentford v Chelsea (19:00)

Sunday

Burnley v Liverpool (13:00)

Manchester City v Manchester United (15:30)