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How Manchester United could line up against Manchester City

Sports Mole looks at how Manchester United could line up for Saturday's Premier League derby clash with Manchester City at Old Trafford.

Manchester United will need to put their Champions League disappointment quickly behind them when they welcome neighbours Manchester City to Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon.

The Red Devils were condemned to Europa League football in the New Year when they lost 3-2 to RB Leipzig in midweek, but must now focus on Premier League duties heading into the first Manchester derby of the season.

Man United have won their last four league games and sit above their opponents in the table, but they have struggled at home this season with a league-low percentage of their points coming at Old Trafford.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how an under-fire Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could set his side up for the contest.



Possible MNU XI vs. MNC

Out: Phil Jones (knee)
Doubtful: Anthony Martial (muscle), Edinson Cavani (muscle)

> Click here for Man United's latest injury and suspension news ahead of this match

Manchester United have a relatively clean bill of health for this derby, although their striking options are likely to be limited with Anthony Martial and Edinson Cavani still both major doubts.

Both players missed the midweek defeat to Leipzig through "minor" issues and are not expected to return in time for this one, with Mason Greenwood seemingly at the front of the queue to lead the line in their absence.

If Martial does make it then he could become the first Man United player since Eric Cantona to score in three successive league Manchester derbies, having netted home and away last season.

It is more likely that the goalscoring burden will fall on Greenwood, Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes, though, with the latter having directly contributed to more goals than any other Premier League player since making his debut for the club.

Fred could return in midfield for United, with Paul Pogba again set to be excluded despite scoring in his side's last two games now.

Mino Raiola's comments regarding Pogba's future will not have done his chances of earning more regular starts any favours at all, meaning that he will likely have to watch on from the bench at best again.

Solskjaer is expected to revert to four at the back with Luke Shaw missing out, having only returned from injury in midweek.

David de Gea should continue in goal, while Aaron Wan-Bissaka is set to start at right-back again as he looks to once again stifle the threat of Raheem Sterling.

> Click here to see how Manchester City could line up for this contest


Video prediction

Watch the Sports Mole Football Shorts prediction for this game below:


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Manchester City's Sergio Aguero celebrates scoring against Marseille in the Champions League on December 9, 2020
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