MANCHESTER UNITED face Premier League champions Manchester City on Saturday lunchtime as they look to build on last weekend’s victory over Tottenham.
The Red Devils were obliterated 5-0 by Liverpool in their last match at Old Trafford two weeks ago, but responded with a win at Spurs and then a dramatic draw against Atalanta in the Champions League.
One of the major changes made by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the last two games has been the switch from a back four to a back three.
But the Norwegian will have to re-think his strategy against Pep Guardiola’s City as Raphael Varane has been ruled out for one month due to a hamstring injury.
United are hoping Victor Lindelof will return in time for the Manchester Derby where he can join Harry Maguire and Eric Bailly in the centre of defence.
Paul Pogba remains unavailable as his red card against Liverpool means he will serve the second of a three-match ban.
Fred and Scott McTominay are expected to remain the duo in the middle of the park.
Luke Shaw and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are set to continue in the wing-back roles, with Bruno Fernandes behind a front two of Cristiano Ronaldo and Edinson Cavani.
However, that formation could change entirely if Lindelof is not deemed fit enough to return from his minor injury.
Instead, Solskjaer could opt to go to a back four with Maguire and Bailly in the centre of defence.
Fred and McTominay will almost certainly remain the holding midfielders, but there could be a major mix-up in the attacking areas.
Cavani could drop to the bench as Ronaldo prepares to lead the line on his own.
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And then behind him the Portuguese superstar would be joined by Fernandes, Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood.
Jadon Sancho, Nemanja Matic, Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard will all be hoping they can impact the game from the bench.
Man Utd currently sit fifth in the Prem table but have not won a home league game since they beat Newcastle 4-1 on September 11.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
