Manchester United travel across the city to Etihad Stadium for a derby showdown with rivals Manchester City this Sunday, March 3 2024. Kick off is at 3:30PM GMT. Here is the Manchester United Predicted Lineup for the clash with Pep Guardiola’s side.
Manchester United Predicted Lineup vs Manchester City
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🔺 Bouncing back on Wednesday
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How Manchester United Have Lined Up Recently
Manchester United have continued in their standard 4-2-3-1 formation recently, with André Onana a constant in goal.
Diogo Dalot has made the right-back spot his own, with Raphael Varane at right centre-back. Harry Maguire has been a regular at left centre-back, but Victor Lindelof has been deputising in his injury-enforced absence. At left-back, Sofyan Ambrat started in the cup victory over Nottingham Forest in the continued absence of Luke Shaw, whereas Lindelof played there in the home defeat to Fulham.
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In midfield, Casemiro has been starting alongside Kobbie Mainoo for the most part of late, although Mainoo was rested for Wednesday’s win over Forest and replaced by Scott McTominay.
Alejandro Garnacho, more comfortable on the right wing, has been deputising on the left recently, with Marcus Rashford forced into the number 9 role due to Rasmus Hojlund’s ongoing muscle injury. Omari Forson took his place on the right against Fulham, whereas Antony fulfiled that role in the cup tie with Nuno Espirito Santo’s Forest outfit. Bruno Fernandes has been ever-present in the number 10 role.
Red Devils’ Recent Form Hides Struggles on the Pitch
Manchester United have won seven of their last nine games in all competitions. Their most recent defeat was their last Premier League game, losing 2-1 to Marco Silva’s Fulham at Old Trafford.
Whilst their overall form has been good, performances have been less convincing with the Red Devils struggling for attacking fluency. particularly in the absence of the in-form Hojlund, the Danish striker totalling six goals and two assists in his last five appearances.
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As well as a lack of potency, Erik ten Hag’s side has had difficulties managing games, giving away leads from commanding positions on numerous occasions such as away at Wolves and Newport County in the Cup. Capable of being unstoppable one minute and farcical the next, Manchester United need to find consistency and the ability to control games for 90 minutes in order to aspire to greater things.
Manchester United Injuries To Consider
Manchester United have a number of injuries to contend with. Left-back Tyrell Malacia is ruled out for another few weeks with a groin problem, whilst right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka is not expected back until mid-March. Harry Maguire is also out until the middle of the current month, with fellow centre-back Lisandro Martinez (knee) and left-back Luke Shaw (out for the season) also unavailable in the Red Devils defence.
Midfielder Mason Mount also continues to be unavailable with a long-term lower leg injury, while forwards Anthony Martial and Rasmus Hojlund are also unavailable for the derby but should return to training next week.
Manchester United Predicted Lineup vs Manchester City
GK: André Onana
RB: Diogo Dalot
CB: Raphael Varane
CB: Victor Lindelof
LB: Sofyan Amrabat
CM: Casemiro
CM: Kobbie Mainoo
RW: Antony
CAM: Bruno Fernandes
LW: Alejandro Garnacho
ST: Marcus Rashford
Current Odds: Manchester City vs Manchester United
Manchester City: 2/7
Draw: 28/5
Manchester United: 10/1
