Both Manchester City and Manchester United need a win in the huge Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Badly.
WATCH LIVE —Manchester City vs Manchester United
Pep Guardiola’s City have won just one of their last 10 games in all competitions and lost 2-0 at Juventus in midweek as they’re struggling to reach the last 16 of the Champions League. On top of that Guardiola has so many defensive absentees for the derby and City are in a real battle just to be in the top four race.
Ruben Amorim has suffered back-to-back Premier League defeats as United’s new manager is starting to realize the magnitude of the job he has on his hands. Ushering in a new formation, style of play and mentality during the season, amid a packed schedule of games, is far from easy.
Below is a look at the Manchester City vs Manchester United predicted lineups, team news and analysis on the tactics they may use.
Manchester City predicted lineup
——- Ortega ——-
—- Walker —- Dias —- Simpson-Pusey —- Gvardiol —-
—— Kovacic —— Silva ——
—— Savinho —— De Bruyne —- Nunes ——
——- Haaland ——-
Ortega had become City’s first-choice goalkeeper in recent weeks but Ederson started at Juventus in midweek and did okay. Either could get the nod but Ortega is likely to come back in. At the back Guardiola could switch to a three with only three senior defenders available. Walker, Dias and Gvardiol will start again, while youngster Simpson-Pusey could come in at center back. Or Guardiola could go with a back three and match up with United’s 3-4-2-1 system. Expect Mateo Kovacic and Bernardo Silva to start in central midfield, while it may be a tall order to ask Ilkay Gundogan to start again after he played the full 90 in midweek at Juve. Kevin de Bruyne did too and his minutes need to be managed but surely he will start in the No. 10 role, while Guardiola may swap Savinho and Nunes out wide for Doku and Grealish with doubts over Phil Foden’s availability. Obviously Erling Haaland starts up top.
Manchester City team news
OUT: Rodri (knee - out for season), Rico Lewis (suspension), Nathan Ake (thigh), John Stones (ankle), Manuel Akanji (unspecified), Oscar Bobb (lower leg) | QUESTIONABLE: Phil Foden (illness)
Manchester United predicted lineup
——- Onana ——-
—- Mazraoui —- De Ligt —- Martinez —-
—- Diallo —- Mainoo —- Ugarte —- Dalot —-
—— Fernandes —— Garnacho ——
——- Hojlund ——-
This is a pretty settled United lineup at this point as only a few positions are really up for grabs. Mazraoui may start ahead of teenage Yoro at center back, while De Ligt and Martinez will definitely start. In midfield the duo of Mainoo and Ugarte have it locked down but perhaps Casemiro plays a big role and can use his experience to calm things down in a game like this? Wing-back positions are probably going to Diallo on the right and Dalot on the left, with the former really impressing in that position so far. Bruno Fernandes will definitely be one of the No. 10’s, while Garnacho, Rashford, Mount and Zirkzee will all be pushing for the other spot behind the central striker. That striker will be Rasmus Hojlund who has looked sharp but needs extra support in attack from open play.
Manchester United team news
OUT: Luke Shaw (foot), Jonny Evans (knock) | QUESTIONABLE: Victor Lindelof (groin)