Manchester United will host noisy neighbours and reigning Premier League champions Manchester City at Old Trafford on Sunday. We reveal the latest team news and our predicted lineup for the Red Devils.
[metabet_core_game_tile query=”536639″ size=”350×300″ style=”fraction” site_id=”lastwordonsports”]
Manchester United Predicted Lineup vs Manchester City
How Ten Hag’s Side Lined Up vs FC Copenhagen
Andre Onana has suffered from a tough start to his journey in the north of England, with significant errors leading to goals against Bayern Munich, Brentford and Galatasaray. After two consecutive nightmare nights in Europe, the Cameroon international was the hero at Old Trafford, saving an injury-time penalty and the final kick of the game to secure three points.
Ahead of him, Diogo Dalot and Sergio Reguilon flanked Raphael Varane and Harry Maguire, whose goal was enough to take their first three points in the Champions League. In the midfield, Scott McTominay covered for the suspended Casemiro alongside Sofyan Amrabat.
Captain Bruno Fernandes started in the middle of the attacking midfield, with Marcus Rashford to his left and Antony to his right. Rasmus Hojlund once again was the sole number nine.
Read More: ‘This Should Go No Further’: Manchester United Player Defends Teammates Social Media Post
United Picking Up Wins Despite Fractured Tactical Approach
A third win on the bounce will give fans hope that their side is turning the corner ahead of a tough tie at Old Trafford. However, while their injury crisis may be a fair excuse to use, the results have certainly been fortunate at times, as Ten Hag’s broken tactical approach has been exposed several times this season.
In most of their recent matches, United have failed to register a significantly higher number of shots or shots on target, as well as expected goals data. Despite having the clear superiority in technical quality, they have stared down defeats against Brentford and Copenhagen in the last two weeks, while Sheffield United put up a fight on United’s home ground.
Tactical Compromise Has Delivered Results – But Signs Are Troubling
A large source of their problems has been their set up and management of games. At Ajax, Erik ten Hag liked to play a high line, dominating possession and using a high press to force transitions towards their opponent’s box with intense pace.
However, due to the ineffectiveness and inconsistency of Rashford and Fernandes’ pressing, they are left vulnerable against technically capable opponents. To compromise between his ideals and his squad, the Dutch manager has instructed his players to sit deeper in defence, which invites pressure onto them.
When Diogo Dalot is on the right, he can be caught out on the counter-attack or is stretched out of position by tricky wingers and full-backs, as was on display in their humbling 3-1 loss to Brighton this season.
[metabet_core_side_odds_tile query=”soccer_game_player_score_goal_first/536639″ size=”350×300″ style=”fraction” site_id=”lastwordonsports”]
If Wan-Bissaka is healthy and plays, he is more capable defensively. Still, he lacks Dalot’s passing and attacking output, which often leaves United’s defence trapped under the press when in possession.
Their deeper positioning and rapid counter-attacks, which seek to exploit the brilliance of starboy Rashford and technical mastermind Fernandes, lead to them losing possession at a higher rate.
As a result, they are unable to consistently force their opponents back in the manner we see from Pep Guardiola’s side, who suffocate their enemies with elite pressing and multifaceted passing moves which pin the defenders further back.
Read More: ‘Endgame’ – Revealing Everything Man Utd Fans Need To Know About New Owner As £1.3 Billion Deal Approaches
Manchester United Team News Ahead of Manchester Derby
According to reports, Casemiro has been pushing towards fitness for the Manchester Derby but it is uncertain whether he will be cleared to start. The Brazillian has been a vital component of Ten Hag’s side since his £60 million transfer last season, opposition manager Guardiola noted his impact and labelled him a “special player” for his successes at Real Madrid.
If the defensive midfielder can start without a significant risk of re-tweaking his ankle injury, it is certain he will be in the first eleven.
The Red Devils have seen some recoveries from injuries recently but are still without Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martinez, Aaron-Wan Bissaka, Amad Diallo and Jadon Sancho, who continues his “exile” and faces restrictions on his contact with the first team inside United’s training centre, as reported by The Athletic.
Manchester United Predicted Lineup vs Manchester City
Onana; Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Reguilon; Casemiro, Amrabat, Fernandes, Antony, Rashford; Hojlund.
