The Premier League table tells us the Manchester clubs are once again the two dominant forces in English football, but the gulf between them remains cavernous ahead of their 185th derby.
As the title drifted further out of sight after a goalless draw with Crystal Palace, one of United’s greatest incentives on Sunday is to prevent their rivals from notching up a staggering 22nd straight victory.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will make a number of late calls before selecting a side he deems capable of that task.
It is at the back that he has the bigger number of concerns, though an enforced change in attack might be a blessing in disguise with United having failed to score in three successive matches.
That is not for want of rotation, with Anthony Martial, Mason Greenwood and Edinson Cavani having led the line against Real Sociedad, Chelsea and Palace respectively.
Martial, who has scored just four Premier League goals all season, is now a doubt for the trip to the Etihad with a knee injury. The Frenchman has drawn a blank ever since his brace in the 9-0 free-for-all against Southampton and could be replaced by Cavani, who is a more natural fit to start up front alone than Greenwood.
Solskjaer is also waiting for confirmation on whether Victor Lindelof will return. Eric Bailly took his place in defence at Selhurst Park with the Swede struggling with a persistent back problem.
“Victor struggled with his back, you know when he plays on a Sunday night, that was a demanding game, he did really well and I didn’t want to play him if I didn’t have to and Eric is more than capable,” the United boss said.
“So [I’ll make a] decision on Sunday, I’m not giving [it] you now. Hopefully Victor’s back is OK, [now] that he’s had that rest that he needs.”
David de Gea, meanwhile, has returned to Spain after announcing the birth of his first daughter Yanay, but it is unclear when he will be able to play again due to quarantine rules.
Dean Henderson, who kept a clean sheet against Palace, is expected to start as Solskjaer confirmed De Gea would be given as much time as he needs.
“We allowed him to go back of course as he wanted to be there with his girlfriend,” Solskjaer said. “We want our players back as soon as possible but there’s a human being in there that we have to look after. He was there for his fantastic day for him, his girlfriend and his family. So, I don’t know when he will be back.
“Dean did well against Palace and I’m sure he’s looking forward to this City game. He’s had the experience already this season in the Carabao Cup. That will stand him in good stead.”
Juan Mata (unspecified), and Phil Jones (knee) are definitely out. The same applies to Paul Pogba (thigh), who conjured up one of his most memorable performances in a United shirt at the Etihad, his brace in April 2018 helping his side come from two goals down and momentarily delaying City’s march to the title.
That is probably the best this United XI can hope for again, and while there will not be a galvanising display from their World Cup winning midfielder to help them do it, the fires have been stoked in the dressing room by Harry Maguire and Marcus Rashford’s well-publicised spat. Cameras captured the forward telling the captain to “shut the f**k up” after he criticised him in midweek.
At any rate, United’s attack as a whole will be under scrutiny if they fail to score for a fourth consecutive game.
Man Utd’s expected starting XI (4-2-3-1): Henderson; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw; McTominay, Fred; James, Fernandes, Rashford; Cavani
Follow i sport on Facebook for more Man Utd news, interviews and features
More on Man Utd
- Big players need to step up or Ole will go the same way as McGuinness
- The making of the Man Utd star who never forgot his roots
- New signing ‘plays like Messi’ – and could be perfect fit for Solskjaer’s system
- Why United are prepared to play the long-game in pursuit of Sancho
- Kevin Garside: Well done to Chadwick for reminding us all to be kind
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/3biljbP
Post a Comment