Manchester United’s latest test comes in the form of Manchester City and a local derby which could once again place Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s head back on the chopping board if his team can’t perform.
The Old Trafford side will undoubtedly have to be at their very best in Saturday’s clash if they are to beat the reigning English champions with a number of key players still out through injury or suspension.
In defence Solskjaer will likely stick with David de Gea despite his clanger against Atalanta in midweek, with a back three of Eric Bailly, Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire in front to accommodate for the injured Raphael Varane. Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Luke Shaw will take up their likely roles on either flank.
In midfield, Man Utd will still be without the suspended Paul Pogba which means a duo of Fred and Scott McTominay will be asked to guard against City’s attacks, while a front three of Bruno Fernandes, Edinson Cavani and Cristiano Ronaldo do their best to score goals.
Man City go into this match in far better form but they too have injury concerns of their own to deal with.
For example, in defence Pep Guardiola will have to contend with an injury to Kyle Walker and a suspension for Aymeric Laporta. As such, we should see a back four of Oleksandr Zinchenko, Ruben Dias, John Stones and Joao Cancelo in front of Ederson in goals.
City have no issues in midfield, so will likely stick with a midfield trio of Rodri, Bernardo Silva and Kevin de Bruyne, alongside Phil Foden, Jack Grealish and Gabriel Jesus in attack.
How Man Utd and Man City could line up
