Marcus Rashford will start, while Anthony Martial will be in contention to feature when Manchester United and Manchester City face off on Sunday.
Manchester United will aim to continue the winning run in the Premier League when they lock horns with Manchester City at the Etihad on Sunday evening. And Erik ten Hag has greeted a mixed bag of updates on the team news front ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
The good news is that Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial have trained this week after recovering from their respective injuries. But Manchester United captain Harry Maguire will miss the short trip across the city to take on Manchester City with a knock. In addition, Axel Tuanzebe, Martin Dubravka, and Brandon Williams are the other absentees for Manchester United.
Erik ten Hag confirmed the team news during his pre-match press conference, saying, “The situation is the following. Harry Maguire is injured and I think, for the rest, we have some doubts, with Anthony Martial, but he was training all week with the group.”
“So I am really happy with that situation, he’s performing really well in training and makes a good impression. Marcus Rashford has returned to training, so I’m also happy with that. For the rest, maybe I think it’s only the longer-term injuries like Axel Tuanzebe and Brandon Williams. They are not available.”
Judging by ten Hag’s comments, Martial will unlikely be fit enough to start the game on Sunday. So Marcus Rashford should spearhead the Manchester United attack against Manchester City, with Jadon Sancho and Antony being the two wide attackers for the visitors.
Bruno Fernandes will play just behind Rashford, reprising the no. 10 role, although he will also have defensive responsibilities. So that will mean that Christian Eriksen will slot in the double-pivot in the middle of the park, with Casemiro likely getting the nod over Scott McTominay against Manchester City.
The defensive unit should not witness any surprising calls, with Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez expected to pair up at the heart of the Manchester United defence. Diogo Dalot and Tyrell Malacia will likely feature as the two full-backs against Manchester City, with David de Gea taking his place between the sticks.
Predicted Manchester United XI: de Gea; Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Malacia; Casemiro, Eriksen; Antony, Bruno Fernandes, Sancho; Rashford
