Manchester United are all set to go toe-to-toe with Manchester City in the first-ever Manchester Derby FA Cup final on Saturday, June 3. Last Word on Sports tries to put together a Manchester United Predicted Lineup – as the Red Devils aim to end their season by demolishing their rivals’ treble dreams.
Manchester United Predicted Lineup vs Manchester City
How Manchester United Have Lined-Up Recently
Erik ten Hag has been playing strong lineups in the past few games in preparation for the FA Cup final, as he wants his best players ready for this clash. It doesn’t take much to assume that the Old Trafford boss will field the players who have served his team the best all season.
The backline of David de Gea, Diogo Dalot, Victor Lindelof, Raphael Varane and Luke Shaw is the best they have available. In midfield, Carabao Cup final hero Casemiro will aim to produce another strong final performance, while Bruno Fernandes and Christian Eriksen are also expected to start. For this occasion, Ten Hag could also bring in Fred – while top scorer Marcus Rashford should spearhead the attack.
Manchester United Recent Form and Tactics
The Red Devils head into this game in an impressive run of form, having won all four of their final Premier League fixtures to secure a top-3 finish at the end of the 2022/23 campaign.
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When it comes to tactically setting up his side, Erik ten Hag is expected to move forward with a 4-3-3 formation – but could tweak things a little bit. Fernandes could be moved to the right wing while Fred, Casemiro and Eriksen flood the midfield to try and stop City.
Manchester United Key Players
Rashford will have a lot of responsibility on his shoulders, due to his goal-scoring exploits this season. The Englishman will need to time his runs perfectly and use his pace to trouble the opposition defenders.
Fernandes will also need to lead from the front and provide chances for his attacking teammates. Sancho has the ability to influence the game in key areas but will need to impose himself effectively. Alejandro Garnacho, who recently signed a new contract, will be used as an impact substitute and needs to use his pace and trickery to give City problems.
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Eriksen and Fred will be tasked to press the City midfielders and stop attacks but will need to be quick with moving the ball forward – while Casemiro will aim to be the midfield destroyer and impose himself on City. Varane has to prove his quality by keeping a close eye on Haaland – all while maintaining a solid backline that gives nothing away to City.
Manchester United Injuries to Consider
Ten Hag has confirmed that Antony is unlikely to be fully fit to feature in the FA Cup final after an injury he sustained against Chelsea last month. Donny van de Beek, Lisandro Martinez and January loanee Marcel Sabitzer are all ruled out due to injury.
Manchester United Predicted Lineup
David de Gea, Diogo Dalot, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof, Luke Shaw, Casemiro, Fred, Christian Eriksen, Bruno Fernandes, Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford
