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It’s the Manchester derby on Sunday in the Premier League with a 15:30 kick-off at Old Trafford. The Man United predicted lineup vs Man City features some big names but they’ll need to put in big performances this weekend against the defending champions.
Aside from the local pride that is always on the line, this feels like a really significant game in shaping the seasons of both teams. City are in the midst of a rare wobble with defeats in their last two Premier League away games. Meanwhile Erik ten Hag remains a man under pressure at United and that will either intensify or significantly cool depending on the outcome here.
Man United predicted lineup vs Man City
Man United predicted lineup vs Man City Premier League team news
Manchester United are still dealing with some significant absentees. Defensive stalwarts Luke Shaw and Lisandro Martinez remain out while Jadon Sancho’s rift with his manager is still nowhere near a resolution with the winger training alone.
The Red Devils won at struggling Sheffield United last weekend and were in action in midweek in the Champions League, registering an unconvincing but important 1-0 victory over FC Copenhagen. Harry Maguire was on target in that game and may keep his place for the derby while Ten Hag is sweating on the fitness of key holding midfielder Casemiro.
Man United predicted lineup
Onana, Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Reguilon, Casemiro, Amrabat, Antony, Fernandes, Rashford, Hojlund
Man United key players – Our top three
Marcus Rashford – Can the England man end United goal drought?
Marcus Rashford is unquestionably a key player for Manchester United but his own struggles in front of goal have mirrored those of his team this season. Despite netting for England against Italy recently, he hasn’t scored for his club since the 3-1 defeat at Arsenal nearly two months ago.
That makes it 8 games without a goal in United colours for Rashford. This will be his 19th Manchester derby in all competitions and the 25 year old has 5 goals in the fixture to his name heading into Sunday’s showdown.
Raphael Varane – Big game performance needed from the defender
To stand a chance against City, Manchester United are going to need their most experienced players to stand up and produce their best football. A World Cup and Champions League winner like Raphael Varane should not be fazed by the occasion and he’ll need to do a good job on Erling Haaland which is admittedly easier said than done.
Varane hasn’t completed 90 minutes in the Premier League since August though with doubts remaining over his physical state.
Rasmus Hojlund – First derby for the Dane
It has been a mixed start for Rasmus Hojlund to life in Manchester. He’s scored 3 times in the Champions League but is yet to open his account in the Premier League, averaging 1.8 shots per game without scoring in 420 minutes of English top flight action to date.
There’d be no better time to break his duck than this one as Hojlund bids to show just why Manchester United invested so heavily in him in the summer.
Will Casemiro play against Man City?
The big injury doubt for Manchester United is Casemiro. The Brazilian hasn’t featured since the 2-1 win over Brentford at the start of the month.
“He will do everything he can to be part of it, to start the game” claimed Ten Hag in his pre-match press conference but added that the player is in “a race against the clock” to be fit.
Man United predicted lineup vs Man City – The Final Word
It has been another gloomy few months in the red half of Manchester with fan anger boiling up again over the lack of progress on the sale of the club and not helped by events on the pitch.
The very recent passing of club legend Sir Bobby Charlton adds to the poignancy of this occasion and victory in the derby would be a timely boost for everyone connected with United.
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