How Man City and Man United could line up in derby

2:08pm on Saturday 6th March 2021
By Stefan Bienkowski

Manchester United will be hoping to put a huge dent in Manchester City’s race to the Premier League title when both sides meet on Sunday afternoon.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side currently sit 14 points behind their city rivals in second place, meaning a win could potentially open up the title race but anything else would surely confirm the league trophy will be in Pep Guardiola’s hands by the end of the season.

One huge advantage the home side will undoubtedly look to take advantage of is the fact that Guardiola has a relatively clean bill of health ahead of the game.

In defence the City manager will look to play his typical defensive line of Ederson in goals, behind a back four of Kyle Walker, John Stones, Ruben Dias and Joao Concelo.

Equally, Guardilla will be able to rely upon his tried and tested midfield trio of Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan and Rodrgio.

In front of them, we’re likely to see the City manager go with Raheem Sterling through the middle with Bernardo Silva on the right and Phil Foden on the left.

As if the odds weren’t already stacked against his side ahead of this clash, Solskjaer will also have to contend with a number of notable injuries in his team.

David de Gea will miss the game after returning to Spain for the birth of his first child, meaning Dean Henderson will start between the posts. Victor Lindelof is likely to return from injury to partner Harry Maguire in the middle of defence, with Luke Shaw out left and Aaron Wan-Bissaka on the right.

Paul Pogba remains out with injury, so the Man Utd manager is likely to go with a midfield partnership of Fred and Scott McTominay supporting Bruno Fernandes.

Upfront United will also likely be without Anthony Martial, so that’s likely to mean a start for Daniel James alongside Marcus Rashford and Edinson Cavani.