Man Utd predicted lineup vs Man City - Premier League
- Man Utd face daunting trip to Man City but must keep winning to keep top four hopes alive
- Key players like Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martinez and Rasmus Hojlund are out
- Man City will target Sofyan Amrabat if he plays at left-back
By Euan Burns
Manchester United face an incredibly tough test on Sunday when they take on local rivals Manchester City in the Premier League.
Erik ten Hag's side have enjoyed some great form recently but the defeat against Fulham was a reality check. An FA Cup win over Nottingham Forest helped calm the situation but it was not a convincing performance and this clash at the Etihad will be a totally different proposition.
There are plenty of injuries plaguing this Man Utd team, with the likes of Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martinez, Rasmus Hojlund and many more missing. That means it will be another makeshift starting lineup from Ten Hag, which could be a recipe for disaster against a team in ruthless form as Man City are right now.
Here's the Man Utd team Ten Hag may field against Man City.
Man Utd predicted lineup vs Man City (4-3-3)
GK: Andre Onana - His form has improved a lot recently and he even had the confidence to wind the Nottingham Forest fans up at the end of the FA Cup clash, having received stick all game. A clean sheet here would be an incredible achievement.
RB: Diogo Dalot - Had another great game against Forest on Wednesday, with a pass accuracy of 93%. Has improved both defensively and offensively this season and is really enjoying his football.
CB: Raphael Varane - Has shaken off fitness concerns to start regularly for Man Utd lately, offering stability and consistency in a constantly changing back four.
CB: Victor Lindelof - Harry Maguire is another player to be stuck down by injury and with Martinez absent, Lindelof should start alongside Varane at the back. As he said himself after beating Forest: "It's always easier to go into a big match if you have won the previous one."
LB: Sofyan Amrabat - Ten Hag looks to have abandoned the tactic of playing Lindelof at left-back in Shaw and Tyrell Malacia's absences, so now a midfielder will feature there instead. Amrabat played there earlier this season but will be targeted nonetheless by Man City.
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CM: Scott McTominay - There could be a change in shape from Man Utd that packs the midfield, with McTominay the player with the most license to go forward given he has emerged as a genuine goal threat.
CM: Casemiro - There are some concerns around a concussion for Casemiro after the Forest game but, assuming he recovers, he will start at the base of midfield after scoring the winning goal on Wednesday.
CM: Kobbie Mainoo - The fact he was rested for an FA Cup tie shows just how important 18-year-old Mainoo has become to Man Utd. He remained on the bench for the Old Trafford clash between these two sides, so this will be his first Manchester derby experience.
RW: Bruno Fernandes - With the change of shape, Fernandes could move to the right, with Ten Hag not impressed by Antony or Amad Diallo of late. The coach came out swinging for his captain after the win against Forest, saying criticism of the Portuguese player is 'pathetic'.
ST: Marcus Rashford - If there's anyone who should be able to get up for this match in the Man Utd team, it's Rashford. Having issued a defiant response to his critics in the build-up to this fixture, a goal and a win would further emphasise his points.
LW: Alejandro Garnacho - Wayne Rooney admitted on Wednesday that Garnacho's bicycle kick against Everton was better than his against Man City. Fans would certainly welcome another spectacular strike from the Argentinian this weekend.
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