Man United host fierce rivals Manchester City today in the Premier League's first Manchester derby of the season.
Michael Carrick has some selection decisions to make as Manchester United face Manchester City this afternoon
Michael Carrick has some selection decisions to make as Manchester United face Manchester City this afternoon(Image: Getty Images/Pick the Team)
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Manchester United welcome fierce rivals Manchester City to Old Trafford today for the first derby of the season. Michael Carrick's side head into the match full of confidence after comfortably beating Sabah FK 4-0 in the Champions League.
Luke Shaw missed that game and is a doubt for the derby. Marcus Rashford was an unused substitute on Thursday but the boss insists he was being saved for this weekend's game.
Otherwise, United have the same group of players available as they have done so far this season. Amad, Carlos Baleba, Matthijs de Ligt and Manuel Ugarte are all sidelined for the game.
This is how our United writers think the Reds should line up vs Enzo Maresca's team this afternoon.
Tyrone Marshall
If he's fit, then Shaw has to play. That feels like the one big talking point in defence. I'd go for Noussair Mazraoui if he's not available, but Shaw is a starter if he can shake off whatever minor issue has been affecting him. Diogo Dalot and Harry Maguire come back into the defence.
Kobbie Mainoo and Youri Tielemans are clearly the first-choice midfield partnership at the moment and they are starting to develop a really promising understanding. They will be put to the test here. Bruno Fernandes might have limped away from Old Trafford on Thursday, but he would start this game on one leg.
The biggest decision centres around Benjamin Sesko. As well as he's doing lately, the evidence is Carrick's United are better in these games with a more fluid attack, so Rashford returns and Matheus Cunha plays through the middle.
Steven Railston
The back four picks itself if Shaw is available after missing the Sabah game as a precaution. I would also stick with a midfield of Tielemans, Mainoo and Fernandes after the trio impressed in the Champions League.
The big decision Carrick has to make is whether Sesko should retain his starting role up front. The Slovenia international scored against Sabah on his first start of the season and he was brought off around the hour mark, which could be interpreted as a substitution to keep him fresh.
Carrick has liked to play with a striker-less attack. Some believe that will be the best choice against City, as United will likely play on the counter-attack, meaning they will need pace up top, but I will still go with Sesko. Cunha hasn't pulled up any trees this season, and I would name him on the bench in favour of recalling Rashford.
Jack Flintham
Hopefully for United's sake Carrick was just being cautious with his Shaw response on Thursday night. Between the two games this week, the clash with City is the one he has to start in.
Leny Yoro had a good game against Sabah and should be rewarded for that. In attack, I feel a fresh Rashford needs to start. These are the matches where you get the best from him. And, considering he was rested in the Champions League, that looks to be where Carrick's mind is at, too.
That leaves Cunha's place in doubt. Starting him up front has not worked this season and if Sesko is fully fit he has to lead the line. Cunha will have to settle for the impact substitution role.