Ruben Amorim faces some big selection calls ahead of Manchester United's Premier League trip to rivals Manchester City
Altay Bayindir, Ruben Amorim and Senne Lammens
Ruben Amorim faces a selection call over his starting keeper for the Manchester derby with Altay Bayindir and Senne Lammens now the options
The Manchester derby needs no introduction but this weekend's offering feels one of the most pivotal in recent memory.
Neither side is in great shape after the opening three games of the Premier League season, with City heading into the contest on the back of successive defeats as questions linger over whether the Blues can challenge for the title.
For United, the victory over Burnley last time out provided a much-needed fillip for Ruben Amorim heading into the international break and means United head into the derby above City in the table.
United won the corresponding fixture last season with two late goals in a dramatic 2-1 win and a repeat outcome would give Amorim and his squad a shot in the arm.
The United chief faces several intriguing selection calls for the cross-city trip, not least over who to start in goal.
With Andre Onana set to secure a loan switch to Turkish side Trabzonspor in the coming hours, Altay Bayindir will compete with new arrival Senne Lammens for the No. 1 spot.
Bayindir has started all three league games so far this campaign but has failed to convince, while throwing Lammens in for a derby would be a big call.
Amorim has shown he is not afraid to make significant decisions and if Lammens is the future, then making him the present has to be the move.
Perhaps the other big call for the weekend comes at wing back, even if the biggest issues are in midfield. Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes have been the first-choice partnership in the middle this season and it's hard to see Kobbie Mainoo or Manuel Ugarte coming into the side unless Fernandes is moved further forward amid injury concerns to Mason Mount and Mathues Cunha.
The latter has teased the prospect of being fit for the weekend on social media and if one of him or Mount is available, you feel Fernandes stays in a deeper role. Even without either, Joshua Zirkee or Amad could fill in.
The latter was the matchwinner at the Etihad last term but has been pushed into a wing back role for United this season. Having his ability and work-rate on the pitch feels imperative.
Yet Amorim may well prefer the security of Diogo Dalot - who is an injury concern himself after pulling out of the Portugal squad last week - with Patrick Dorgu on the other side.
Leaving Amad out for a big game would feel unfair on the 23-year-old, and would raise questions as to whether the Ivorian will find minutes in high profile games this season.
Derby day will provide a clear indicator of Amorim's trail of thought. It's a thinking process the United boss has to get right.