The intense Premier League rivalry between Manchester United and Manchester City reignited on Saturday, January 17, 2026, with a thrilling derby at Old Trafford. The match garnered significant attention, especially with the headline claim of key players starting for both sides, which has been thoroughly verified. For Manchester United, both Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo were indeed in the starting lineup. Amad, an Ivorian winger, is a Manchester United player, with his profile confirming his presence at the club. Bryan Mbeumo, who joined Manchester United in July 2025 from Brentford, also started for the Red Devils after returning from Africa Cup of Nations duty. On the Manchester City side, Antoine Semenyo, a significant January 2026 signing from Bournemouth, made his Premier League debut start for the club in the derby. The match marked Michael Carrick's debut as Manchester United's interim head coach, a crucial moment for the club aiming to turn around their form after the departure of Ruben Amorim. Both Manchester United and Manchester City entered the derby on the back of three consecutive Premier League draws, adding extra pressure and motivation for a decisive victory. The game, kicking off at 12:30 PM UTC (6:00 PM IST), was part of Matchweek 22 of the 2025-26 Premier League season. Media outlets like Al Jazeera and Sporting News provided live coverage, confirming the lineups and in-game events. The accuracy of the headline regarding the starting players is fully substantiated by real-time match reports and player transfer information.