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How Manchester United should line up vs Man City in Manchester derby fixture

It's the Manchester derby this afternoon.

Manchester United take on Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.

United came back to win 2-1 against Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League on Thursday thanks to a brace from Rasmus Hojlund, who came on in the second half to replace Marcus Rashford.

That victory has provided United with a boost ahead of the Manchester derby and there is reason for optimism, as Manchester City have won just one of their last 10 games.

City became the first team to win four Premier League titles on the bounce last term but are enduring an awful season and were comfortably defeated by Juventus in midweek.

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Regarding the team news, Jonny Evans could return to the squad after recovering from injury.

Tyrone Marshall

Some of Amorim's selection decisions on Thursday made it clear who would be starting at the Etihad, and the performances of some those who came into the team and some who came off the bench should have helped make his mind up for him.

Martinez and De Ligt are nailed-on starters in central defence and I would stick with Mazraoui, who is better at moving out of defence to close down De Bruyne, Foden, or any other creative City outlets who pick up clever positions. He did a similar job against Odegaard at Arsenal.

I would return Amad to right wing-back to try and take advantage of City's defensive issues. Gvardiol is out of form at left-back and vulnerable to someone running at him, but he could yet be forced into the middle, with someone like Bernardo Silva moving to left-back. Dalot can operate down United's left, with Ugarte and Mainoo offering energy in the middle to outrun City.

That means Fernandes starts as a No. 10 and as tempting as it is to start Mount, I would look to use Garnacho's running ability and threat in behind. Hojlund also has the profile to give City's defence a tough time.

Steven Railston

United have been vulnerable from set-pieces recently and Haaland is a physical presence who needs dealt with, so Maguire should start and his experience should be helpful.

It might be a slight risk to start Mazraoui at left wing-back given he's not played there under Amorim, but he's a versatile player and shouldn't have a problem playing on that side.

Mainoo and Ugarte started against Nottingham Forest and United lost that game, which makes me think Mainoo should be partnered by the wily old fox Casemiro here.

Hojlund has to start after scoring a brace against Plzen and I'd bring Garnacho back into the team. He delivered in the FA Cup final against City last season and will be up for this at the Etihad.

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