Man Utd predicted lineup vs Man City - Premier League
- Red Devils head into Manchester derby off the back of three wins in a row
- Casemiro is racing to get fit with tough decisions for Erik ten Hag in midfield
- Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia and Aaron Wan-Bissaka still out injured
By Euan Burns
Manchester United have enjoyed a slight upturn in form recently with three wins in a row across the Premier League and the Champions League, but a much tougher test lies ahead on Sunday against Manchester City.
Erik ten Hag's Man Utd side is still dogged by a number of injuries and absentees with the likes of Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Amad Diallo, Tyrell Malacia and Jadon Sancho all unavailable.
Slims victories against Brentford, Sheffield United and Kobenhavn have at least boosted the mood at Old Trafford, but a reality check is in danger of being served up on Sunday to Ten Hag, who has pressing issues in midfield.
Here is the starting XI Ten Hag may choose against Man City on Sunday afternoon.
Manchester United predicted lineup vs Manchester City (4-2-3-1)
GK: Andre Onana - United's summer signing enjoyed a huge moment against Kobenhavn with his penalty save and now needs to build on it with a Manchester derby performance free of mistakes.
RB: Diogo Dalot - Dalot has given a decent account of himself in recent weeks, scoring the winner at Sheffield United, and may be up against Jeremy Doku here. Will face competition from Aaron Wan-Bissaka when the Englishman is fit again.
CB: Harry Maguire - Much like Onana, Maguire enjoyed a great moment against Kobenhavn with the winning goal and has improved recently, but that positivity might be forgotten if he drops a clanger against Man City. Nevertheless, Ten Hag is expected to keep him in the XI.
CB: Raphael Varane - After returning against Kobenhavn, Varane will be fit to start against Man City and will need to do a job on Erling Haaland.
LB: Sergio Reguilon - Another player who came back from injury on Tuesday, Man Utd look better with a natural left-back. Whether Reguilon can play the whole 90 minutes remains to be seen.
CM: Casemiro - A slight doubt after his injury for Brazil but Casemiro will be picked to start if he is fit enough. He served a suspension in the Champions League while injured, but expect Scott McTominay to play if Casemiro isn't fit.
CM: Sofyan Amrabat - This would be a pretty combative midfield duo but it may be what Ten Hag opts for against City's attacking riches.
RW: Bruno Fernandes - Fernandes could be pushed over to the right wing as Ten Hag looks to accommodate another player and also provide some flexibility with the formation.
AM: Christian Eriksen - The Dane was really impressive against Kobenhavn and Ten Hag may reward that. Mason Mount is another contender here, but using Eriksen in a 4-2-3-1 allows Man Utd to play in a 4-2-2-2 with Fernandes and Eriksen behind Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund should the situation call for it.
LW: Marcus Rashford - This would be a really good moment for Rashford to rediscover his goalscoring touch. He should have scored in midweek but will be right up for this game.
ST: Rasmus Hojlund - That Premier League goal is still alluding him, but Hojlund has looked good for Man Utd so far with his hold-up play surprising many.
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