When Man United plays Manchester City in Sunday’s derby at the Etihad Stadium, they will be keen to claim the bragging rights. This is how they are expected to line up.
When Manchester United and Manchester City square off in Sunday’s derby at the Etihad Stadium, the former will be looking to renew their campaign for a top-four finish.
United, who were easily defeated by City in October when they lost 3-0 at Old Trafford, lost 2-1 at home to Fulham last weekend in the Premier League, their first loss of 2024. As of this writing, they are eight points behind Aston Villa in fourth place for the final Champions League spot as a result of the setback.
On the other hand, United responded right away in midweek, defeating Nottingham Forest 1-0 at the City Ground to advance to the FA Cup fifth round. A late goal by Casemiro secured a quarterfinal meeting with Liverpool.
A day before, Raphael Varane and Bruno Fernandes were doubtful due to injuries, but United was able to rely on them despite potentially being down to the bare minimum for the journey to the East Midlands. Fernandes left the City Ground limping, but both players played.
During Thursday’s pre-game news conference, manager Erik ten Hag gave an update on the state of his team. He did not mention any new injury worries, nor did he anticipate any of the injured players returning. The players who were available to him against Forest are anticipated to be the ones he chooses for his starting lineup.
Given this, Andre Onana is a strong candidate to start in goal and continue his streak of starting every Premier League game this year. He contributed to the victory against Forest and has shown growth in recent weeks.
Regarding the back four in front of him, Ten Hag may opt to use the same group that began on the banks of the Trent, giving Sofyan Amrabat the responsibility of playing left defence once more. Since United doesn’t currently have a senior left-back on hand, Amrabat might have to fill in once more.
Victor Lindelof will probably partner Varane at centre back, and Diogo Dalot is a sure starter at right back. Harry Maguire is once more anticipated to be left out.
Ten Hag starting Kobbie Mainoo, Fernandes, and Casemiro as a midfield trio would not be shocking. If Shaw or another left-back option had been available, it could have made more sense to move Amrabat into a defensive-midfield role rather than assigning him to play left-back against a side of City’s calibre.
But Mainoo has emerged as one of United’s top players lately, and he ought to play in his first Manchester Derby. He could be McTominay’s opposite.
Even though Fernandes left the City Ground limping, he will probably start. He has never missed a United match due to an injury, therefore it would be quite unlikely that he would miss a match this important.
Marcus Rashford is expected to lead the line and start through the centre once more in attack due to Rasmus Hojlund’s unavailability. Like he was at Forest, Alejandro Garnacho and Antony could support him.
Predicted United lineup vs City: Antony, Rashford, Garnacho; Mainoo, Casemiro, Fernandes; Dalot, Varane, Lindelof, Amrabat.
