Anthony Martial has regained fitness and is in contention to feature for Manchester United in the Manchester derby at Etihad on Saturday.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has managed to motivate his Manchester United side enough against the top sides to gain positive results. The next test though, is a Manchester City side that will be desperate to get back into their 2018-19 season form after already lagging behind Liverpool.
Manchester United should retain most of the players from the 2-1 win over Tottenham. David de Gea is an absolute certainty; as are Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Aaron Wan-Bissaka. The left-back slot could be up for debate between Ashley Young and Brandon Williams. But, Solskjaer should prefer experience for the big game.
In midfield, Scott McTominay has become ‘undroppable’ in the words of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and should start alongside Fred, who was one of the men to make the difference against Tottenham. Fred has become an important member of the squad in the absence of Paul Pogba, who is still working on getting back into action as soon as possible.
The main contentious positions will be in attack. Marcus Rashford and Daniel James are guaranteed starters. But, there will be a tussle between Jesse Lingard and Andreas Pereira for the number 10 role. Solskjaer should prefer Lingard after his performance against Tottenham, with his movement and energy disrupting the opposition quite a bit.
Mason Greenwood did do a decent job in attack against Tottenham. But, Solskjaer hinted at Anthony Martial returning to full fitness during his pre-match conference. The Frenchman might not be a sure starter against Manchester City, but is fit enough to at least feature for a few minutes.
“We hope to have Anthony, definitely, for part of the game. I am not sure he is able to start.”
We could see Solskjaer push Martial into the starting eleven however, a-la McTominay against Tottenham. Although, the Frenchman is more injury prone compared to McTominay and thus could be rested, which should give Mason Greenwood another chance to impress.
Predicted Manchester United XI: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Young, McTominay, Fred, James, Lingard, Rashford, Greenwood
