It is the Manchester derby showdown on Sunday, as Manchester United make the small trip to the Etihad Stadium to face Manchester City.
The Red Devils have bounced back emphatically from two defeats in their first two games under Erik ten Hag to win four games on the bounce. They lie fifth in the table, five points behind Man City but with a game in hand.
Having beaten Arsenal in their last league game which was played on September 4 , Ten Hag will want his United side to keep up the momentum and earn the derby bragging rights.
Manchester United Team News
Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford are facing a race against time to be fit for the Manchester derby. Martial sustained an Achilles injury against Liverpool last month and hasn’t played since while Rashford suffered a muscle injury in Man United’s 3-1 win over Arsenal before the international break. The pair has returned to training and will face a late fitness test today.
Erik ten Hag will be without Harry Maguire, who suffered a thigh problem while on international duty with England and is set to be out for at least two weeks. Elsewhere, Martin Dubravka and Donny Van de Beek are both doubtful due to knocks.
Predicted Man United Lineup vs Man City (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper
There is no looking past David de Gea in goal for Manchester United. After his error-strewn display in the 4-0 defeat to Brentford, the Spaniard has responded well with a couple of fine performances and will stay between the sticks against Man City.
Defence
Ten Hag has finally settled on a stable back four and is unlikely to make alterations when picking his side on Sunday. This means Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez will continue their centre-half partnership, with Diogo Dalot and Tyrell Malacia taking up the full-back slots in the Man United lineup.
The Man United boss will hope the Man United backline, along with De Gea, step up and deliver a resolute performance to stop the well-oiled City attack, led exceptionally by Erling Haaland.
Midfield
Midfield is a place Man City will look to dominate, and Man United must look to find solutions of stopping that from happening. The double-pivot of Christian Eriksen and Scott McTominay has blossomed in recent games, giving the Red Devils some stability in midfield.
With McTominay dropping deep to shield the backline, the onus is on Eriksen to construct attacks from the middle of the park. The Dane’s creativity and link up with Bruno Fernandes will be crucial in unlocking the rigid City backline at the weekend.
Ten Hag can bring on the likes of Casemiro and Fred from the bench to add more bite in midfield when required.
Attack
There are a number of scenarios in play regarding the attack.
Ten Hag will be torn between Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial should the duo pass the fitness test. But in case, the manager decides against taking a risk with their fitness, Cristiano Ronaldo might be the best placed to return to the Man United lineup.
There is also the possibility of including Casemiro in the team in midfield to partner Scott McTominay which will see Cristian Eriksen pushed ahead in a false 9 role.
Jadon Sancho looks a certainty to start on the left flank, while Antony keeps his spot on the right in the Man United lineup.
