Manchester United play hosts to league leaders, Manchester City at Old Trafford in what promises to be an exciting Manchester derby on Sunday. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Phil Jones and Nemanja Matic are all available for the clash with United boss, Jose Mourinho aiming to close the gap to their rivals who sit at the top of the league, to just five points. The Citizens are unbeaten in the Premier League this season but they did taste defeat in their last game against Shakhtar Donetsk when they were beaten 2-1 by the Ukranian side in the Champions League.
Paul Pogba is set to miss out for Manchester United after being sent off during their last league encounter versus Arsenal. United skipper Michael Carrick and Eric Bailly will also join him on the sidelines as they recover from their respective injuries. However, Marouane Fellaini will be in for a late fitness test ahead of the game and might have to settle for a place on the bench.
Manchester United are unbeaten in their last two matches against their ‘noisy neighbours’ Manchester City but Pep Guardiola’s men secured victory in their last league game at Old Trafford in 2016.
3-4-1-2 Predicted Manchester United Line-Up To Face Manchester City
Defence
David De Gea will once again start in goal for United after his incredible performance against Arsenal. The goalkeeper made a Premier League record of 14 saves which helped the Red Devils secure a 3-1 victory at the Emirates.
The Spanish goalie will be shielded by a back three of Marcos Rojo, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones. United boasts the Premier League’s best defence and has just conceded 9 goals in 15 league matches this season. Jose Mourinho will be hoping that his back three can keep the league’s top scorers at bay.
Midfield
The midfield four will feature Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia as full-backs while Jose Mourinho will be expected to start with Nemanja Matic and Ander Herrera as the holding midfielders who will be responsible to stop Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva from having a positive effect in the game. The match might be won and lost depending on how these midfield four of United perform the game.
Attack
Jesse Lingard scored a brace against Arsenal and will once again start behind Anthony Martial and Romelu Lukuku who will lead the lines for the Red Devils. Some of their link-up play has been fantastic this season and it will be up to these three players to conjure up a goal or two against the City back-line.
Lukaku has scored once in his last eight league appearances for United so it’s high time that he scored for the Red Devils and a derby goal against City will do his confidence a world of good going into the busy Christmas period.
