Neville says Man City’s defence will decide title race after derby win

Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville believes Manchester City have turned a corner and can mount a genuine challenge to Arsenal for the Premier League title after their 1‑0 derby win over Manchester United on Sunday, which kept their perfect start to the 2026/27 season intact.

Summer signings reshape the squad

The win came despite City playing with ten men after Phil Foden’s early red card, and Erling Haaland’s controversial goal proved decisive. Bruno Fernandes made the most of the contact that led to the dismissal, while Elliot Anderson and Iliman Ndiaye entered at half‑time and impressed.

Neville highlighted the impact of the summer arrivals Bouaddi, Enzo Fernandez and Ndiaye, describing the trio as "£250million worth of business" that has transformed the look of the team. He added that those signings have given Maresca’s side the depth to compete on a daily basis.

Maresca’s tactics earn praise

According to Neville, the "big thing" for City now rests on the defence – the fitness of Rúben Dias and Joško Gvardiol, the experience of Jules Koundé and William Guehi, and the options of Khusanov and Nico O’Reilly on the bench.

Pundit Danny Murphy echoed the sentiment, calling Sunday’s result a "statement win" for Enzo Maresca and praising the team’s mentality, discipline and organisation when reduced to ten men.

Arsenal, the 2025/26 champions, have also won their first four games and remain the team Neville still backs to win the title, even as City keep pace at the top of the table.

Looking ahead, Neville warned that City must keep their back four fit and avoid injuries if they are to give Arsenal a real run. The next fixtures will test whether the transformed squad can sustain its early momentum.