Michael Carrick has a challenging team selection decision for his first match in charge of Manchester United.
Manchester United resume their Premier League campaign by hosting derby rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon.
It is the first game since United confirmed Michael Carrick’s appointment as interim head coach until the end of the 2025/26 season.
Now they are both back, how can Amad and Bryan Mbeumo both fit into Michael Carrick’s starting XI?
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Amad/Mbeumo training
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Carrick’s style of play will hopefully become clear during the match, but he faces an incredibly difficult start up against Pep Guardiola’s City.
United lost 3-0 to City in the reverse fixture under Ruben Amorim this season, and now Michael Carrick has to decide whether or not Luke Shaw should keep his spot after his dismal performance at the Etihad Stadium.
Luke Shaw tries to chase down Tijani Reijnders
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Michael Carrick faces decision on Luke Shaw vs Man City
Amorim defended his selection vs City, but it clearly backfired, and United were second best across the pitch at the Etihad.
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As per United in Focus’ player ratings from the City defeat, Shaw had a “nightmare” display, earning him just a 2/10 for his performance.
Ahead of the derby, which Manchester City player of ALL TIME have you taken the biggest personal dislike to?
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Erling Haaland of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Etihad Stadium on September 14, 2025
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Shaw had his hands full trying to defend against Jeremy Doku, and he was also too easily beaten by Erling Haaland.
According to SofaScore, Shaw didn’t win a single tackle against City and only had three defensive contributions across his 90-minute performance.
Luke Shaw will be up against Antoine Semenyo in derby
Carrick is expected to play a 4-2-3-1 formation at United, and that means Shaw could return to a left-back role instead of the centre-back role he has impressed in this season.
In the reverse fixture, Shaw struggled up against Doku, but at Old Trafford he could have a different opponent.
United were linked with Antoine Semenyo, but he chose to join City instead in a £65 million deal.
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Since making the move, Semenyo has already scored two goals in two games for City in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.
Semenyo has played on the right for City, meaning he could be matched up against Shaw in the derby.
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