The Manchester Derby, a clash between Manchester City and Manchester United, is one of the most anticipated fixtures in the Premier League and global football. For fans in the United States eager to witness this thrilling rivalry, knowing exactly where to tune in is crucial. This guide breaks down all the options for watching Man City vs Man United games across various competitions, ensuring you don’t miss a single moment of the action.
Premier League Showdowns: NBC Sports is Your Home
When it comes to Premier League action in the USA, NBC Sports holds the exclusive broadcasting rights. This means that for the two guaranteed Premier League encounters between Man City and Man United each season, you’ll be looking to the NBC family of networks.
Typically, marquee matches like the Manchester Derby are showcased on either the USA Network or the main NBC broadcast channel, offering widespread access for cable and satellite subscribers. For those preferring Spanish-language commentary, Universo and Telemundo often carry televised Spanish broadcasts of these high-profile games.
While NBC’s Peacock streaming service also streams Premier League matches, games of the magnitude of Man City vs Man United are highly likely to be prioritized for linear television broadcast on USA or NBC due to their massive viewership appeal. However, Saturday Premier League matches broadcast on NBC are usually simulcast on Peacock, so it’s always worth checking the Peacock schedule as well.
For cord-cutters, streaming services that include channels like NBC, USA Network, Universo, and Telemundo are essential. Fubo stands out as a strong option, providing access to all of these channels and a wide range of sports content.
Cup Competitions: ESPN Platforms for FA Cup and League Cup
Beyond the Premier League, Man City and Man United could face off in England’s prestigious domestic cup competitions: the FA Cup and the League Cup (Carabao Cup). The broadcast rights for these tournaments in the USA belong to ESPN.
The majority of FA Cup and League Cup matches are streamed live on ESPN+, ESPN’s dedicated streaming platform. ESPN+ offers comprehensive coverage of these competitions, including early-round matches that might not make it to traditional television.
However, as the FA Cup and League Cup progress to the later stages, especially the semi-finals and the finals, games involving Manchester United or Manchester City are often elevated to ESPN and ESPN2 linear cable networks, ensuring broader viewership for these crucial clashes.
European Nights: Paramount+ for Champions League and Europa League
The possibility of a Manchester Derby extends to the European stage in the UEFA Champions League or Europa League. If Man City and Man United are drawn against each other in these prestigious continental competitions, the broadcasting landscape shifts to CBS and Paramount+.
Paramount+ is the exclusive streaming home for all UEFA Champions League and Europa League matches in the United States. Every single game, including any potential Manchester Derby, is available live and on-demand on Paramount+.
Furthermore, select high-profile Champions League and Europa League matches, particularly those featuring major English clubs like Man City and Man United, are also broadcast on the main CBS network, providing over-the-air access to some of the biggest European nights.
Streaming Services at a Glance
To summarize the streaming options and help you choose the best service to watch Man City vs Man United, here’s a quick breakdown:
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Fubo: A comprehensive streaming service including channels broadcasting the Premier League (NBC, USA Network, Universo, Telemundo), making it a strong choice for guaranteed access to Premier League derbies. Fubo typically offers a 7-day free trial and is priced at $74.99 per month and up.
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Peacock: NBC’s streaming service, Peacock, shows Premier League matches. While Man City vs Man United Premier League games are likely to be on linear TV, checking Peacock for simulcasts, especially for Saturday NBC broadcasts, is recommended. Peacock subscription plans start from $5.99 per month.
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ESPN+: Essential for fans wanting to watch the FA Cup and League Cup. ESPN+ streams the vast majority of matches in these competitions and is priced at $10.99 per month or $109.99 annually. The Disney Bundle, which includes ESPN+, Disney+, and Hulu, is also a popular option at $14.99 per month, offering a wide range of entertainment in addition to sports.
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Paramount+: The go-to streaming service for UEFA Champions League and Europa League action. Every game is streamed on Paramount+, with select matches also airing on CBS. Paramount+ plans start at $5.99 per month.
A Rivalry for the Ages
The Manchester Derby is more than just a game; it’s a historic rivalry deeply embedded in English football culture. From its early days as St. Marks (City) versus Newton Heath (United) to the modern era of global superstars and intense competition, this fixture has consistently delivered drama and excitement.
While Manchester United boasts a richer history of trophies, including Champions League titles, the rise of Manchester City in recent years has intensified the derby, making it a battle for Manchester supremacy and Premier League dominance. Iconic players and legendary managers have graced this fixture, adding to its enduring appeal.
To stay updated on specific match schedules and confirm TV listings closer to game day, always refer to official broadcaster schedules and sports TV guides. With the information in this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to find Where To Watch Man City Vs Man United and enjoy every thrilling moment of this iconic derby in the USA.
