Victor Lindelof is in line to replace the injured Raphael Varane while Edinson Cavani could again be benched when Manchester United face Manchester City.
Manchester United will be aiming to close the gap to the top of the table with a victory when they lock horns with neighbours and bitter rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon.
Heading up to the game, Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was handed a fresh blow as Raphael Varane was ruled out of the contest following the injury he picked up in midweek against Atalanta. “With all the technology, you expect him to be out for four-five weeks. It’s a blow for us as he’s come in and been really influential, but Eric Bailly came in last time and was exceptional,” he said in his presser.
Solskjaer also went on to reveal that Victor Lindelof had not fully recovered from his knock at the time of the presser, but the Manchester United manager did add that he expected to see the Swede be fit in time for the game. “He’s still a doubt but, hopefully, he can come in tomorrow and say he’s ready. I expect him to be ready tomorrow but I can’t confirm,” declared Solskjaer.
So, with Lindelof expected to be available for the game, he ought to slot right into the starting XI, at the heart of the three-man Manchester United defence, where he will be flanked by struggling captain Harry Maguire and Eric Bailly, who did well in the midweek draw against Atalanta. The trio will guard David de Gea in goal while Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Luke Shaw operate as wing-backs.
The big game against Manchester City means Solskjaer will bank on his trusted midfield duo of Scott McTominay and Fred to get the job done on Saturday. The latter is set to come into the lineup for the Red Devils at the expense of Paul Pogba, who is still suspended in the Premier League after being sent off against Liverpool.
Bruno Fernandes is the undisputed starter in the No. 10 role for Manchester United against Pep Guardiola’s men. He will play just off of the two-pronged strikeforce of Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcus Rashford.
While Edinson Cavani made a solid case for a starting berth with his performance in the win over Tottenham last weekend, Saturday’s game is likely to see the hosts let City have the ball and play on the counter. And while doing so, Rashford’s raw pace could come in extremely handy to catch the reigning champions out. Anthony Martial, Jadon Sancho and Mason Greenwood will be options from the bench.
Predicted Manchester United XI: De Gea, Bailly, Lindelof, Maguire, Wan-Bissaka, McTominay, Fred, Shaw, Fernandes, Ronaldo, Rashford
