Here we try and predict Carrick’s first lineup as Red Devils boss.placeholder image
Here we try and predict Carrick’s first lineup as Red Devils boss. | Getty Images/ Canva
Manchester United team news and a predicted lineup ahead of their highly-anticipate showdown with fierce rivals Manchester City
The former Middlesbrough boss is back in the dugout after more than six months out of the game, and is tasked with overseeing the remainder of the 2025/26 campaign following the club’s decision to fire predecessor Ruben Amorim.
The search for Amorim’s permanent successor is still rumbling on in the background, but for the time being Carrick has assembled a strong coaching team on paper that combines trusted confidantes such as former Boro assistant Jonathan Woodgate and ex-United teammate Jonny Evans, while also adding experience to the group in the form of ex-England assistant coach Steve Holland.
The remit for Carrick in the short-term will be to try to achieve Champions League qualification or at the bare minimum some form of European football after a year outside any form of continental competition.
Carrick is likely to move away from Amorim’s preferred 3-4-2-1 formation and may look set up with a more conventional 4-2-3-1 system. But how will that look on Saturday against Pep Guardiola’s side at Old Trafford? And will Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo return to the fray? Here we try and predict Carrick’s first lineup as Red Devils boss.
Man Utd predicted lineup vs Man City: goalkeeper and defence
GK: Senne Lammens: Belgian goalkeeper Lammens has been the first choice for most of the campaign following the club’s failure to land Emiliano Martinez over the summer. He’s only kept two clean sheets since arriving, but will be hopeful that he can improve on that showing in the coming months.
RB: Diogo Dalot: Carrick played with a back four throughout most of his time at Middlesbrough, and we expect this to be translated over to United. As such, Dalot is likely to return to a more familiar full-back role keeping his place after starting in the FA Cup loss to Brighton.
CB: Harry Maguire: England international Maguire was the club captain when Carrick was briefly in interim charge back in 2021. His leadership skills could be vital in a game of this magnitude along with his threat from set pieces. He comes in to replace Leny Yoro.
CB: Lisandro Martinez: When at his best, Martinez is arguably United’s most talented central defender and someone that’s renowned for being composed in possession. Alongside Maguire in 2022/23 the pair helped David de Gea win the Golden Glove.
LB: Luke Shaw: England international Shaw replaces Patrick Dorgu in the second defensive change of the afternoon. Shaw played in central defence for large chunks of the season but could return to a more familiar role.
Man Utd predicted lineup vs Man City: midfield and attack
CM: Casemiro: Brazil international Casemiro could have a busy afternoon trying to contain City’s attacking-minded players. However, he’s performed much better than Manuel Ugarte and deserves to start ahead of the Uruguayan at this moment.
CM: Kobbie Mainoo: The so-called ‘Man Utd DNA’ prides itself on playing academy stars, meaning Mainoo could once again get a regular run in the team after struggling for minutes under Amorim. He notably scored the winner against the Sky Blues in the FA Cup final in 2024.
CAM: Bruno Fernandes: Portuguese playmaker Fernandes may be topping the assist charts at present, but many United fans still feel he’s better suited to playing in the No.10 position as opposed to deeper in midfield. Carrick might agree with this sentiment too and move Fernandes back to a more familiar attacking midfield position.
RM: Bryan Mbeumo: Cameroon international Mbeumo returns from AFCON and comes straight back into the lineup to face City. He’s played his best stuff for Brentford out wide before joining United and looks set to return to his usual position.
LM: Matheus Cunha: Brazil international Cunha could be moved over to the wing against Guardiola’s side. He’s scored four goals and one assist in 18 matches since joining but hasn’t quite hit the heights he did at Wolves last season.
ST: Benjamin Sesko: Big-money summer striker signing Sesko leads the line in the Manchester derby. The former RB Leipzig man has also struggled to make a consistent impact since joining having scored four league goals so far.
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