Man Utd play Man City in the Premier League on Saturday and here’s how our writers think they should line up.
It’s the Manchester derby today.(Image: )
Manchester United take on Manchester City at Old Trafford in the derby this afternoon. Michael Carrick was appointed as head coach on Tuesday and will take charge of his first game since his return.
Darren Fletcher oversaw a draw against Burnley and suffered a defeat to Brighton in the FA Cup during his brief spell as caretaker. Carrick inherits a team sitting in sixth in the Premier League and will attempt to steer the club into the Champions League places by the end of the campaign.
Carrick’s options have been strengthened by the return of Amad and Bryan Mbeumo, who returned to training earlier in the week after playing at the Africa Cup of Nations.
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Matthijs de Ligt is the only senior player unavailable to Carrick this weekend. The Dutchman is still recovering from a back injury and last played against Crystal Palace on November 30. Here’s how our writers think United should line up…
Tyrone Marshall
Carrick hasn’t started at a great time in terms of fixtures, but he is benefiting from having key players in Amad and Mbeumo. I would also consider a change in defence, when Maguire should come in now he has been back in training for a few weeks. Dalot, Shaw and Martinez complete a back four.
Casemiro can play the holding role in midfield, with Mainoo next to him. That feels like a risk against City, but if they can keep the ball against a team not as possession-dominant as they used to be, it will be a success. Fernandes completes that trio.
Mbeumo and Amad have to start on the wings, which means a place on the bench for Cunha. Fletcher got Sesko firing, which could be his legacy this season, and this is a big afternoon for the £73million striker.
Steven Railston
The Carrick era begins here. He has 17 games to oversee in the remainder of the Premier League campaign, and he could start his tenure with a bang if he can find a way to beat City.
United have been conceding too many goals and it makes sense to recall the experienced Maguire. The 32-year-old has bags of experience and should start alongside Martinez in central defence.
Mainoo’s statistics against Brighton were encouraging, so he should retain his starting role alongside Casemiro in the pivot. Fernandes should start ahead of them, while Mbeumo should slot back into the XI after representing Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations over the last month.
Cunha needs to contribute more in the final third, but I’m inclined to give him another roll of the dice in a big game. Amad will be ready to make an impact from the bench.
Jack Flintham
If Carrick wants to ensure his era is not confused with the Ruben Amorim safety first approach, he needs to be bold with his selection for the derby. That is why having five attackers in the starting line-up could be the way to go.
Fernandes has proven he can do the dirty work when needed alongside Casemiro and dropping him back into the two would open the floor up for United’s returning AFCON duo to both start. Amad may have left United struggling for form but he rediscovered it with his national team.
Bryan Mbeumo in the No.10 role would provide a headache for City’s inexperienced centre-back pair which is an area United could look to exploit. Both Mason Mount and Mainoo would be among the substitutes to offer the Reds further reinforcements and allow them to take the game to City.
Jack Flintham’s predicted line-up for Manchester United vs Man City(Image: )