Manchester United’s new interim boss Michael Carrick faces the hottest baptism of fire possible on Saturday lunchtime, as his side lock horns with bitter rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford in the 198th
instalment of the Manchester derby.
Supporters from both sides will be hoping for a more eventful Premier League showdown this time around, after a painfully dull 0-0 draw was played out in their last encounter on the red side of Manchester in April last year.
Carrick returns to the dugout seven months after his dismissal from Middlesbrough, where he won 46.3% of his 136 games in charge, and has taken over a Man United side who currently sit seventh in the Premier League table, only three points behind the top four despite winning just one of their last six matches (W1 D4 L1).
United have also failed to score in four of their last five Premier League home encounters with Man City, including the last two in a row; they have not endured a three-game goal drought on home soil against the Citizens since a run of four between December 1911 and September 1914.
United are still having to cope without Noussair Mazraoui (AFCON) and injured defender Matthijs de Ligt (back), while teenage forward Shea Lacey is suspended following his late red card in last weekend’s FA Cup defeat to Brighton.
However, Carrick will be able to call upon attacking duo Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo following their eliminations from AFCON. The former is United’s top scorer this season with seven goals and is seemingly more likely to start on the right flank.
Carrick, who is expected to stick with a back four, has a few selection dilemmas as he weighs up whether to play Luke Shaw or Patrick Dorgu at left-back, while midfielder Kobbie Mainoo will be hoping to start his first PL game of the season ahead of Manuel Ugarte and Mason Mount.
Premier League Schedule
It’s an afternoon kickoff in the UK, which means an early morning kickoff on the East Coast of the U.S.
Premier League Channel
The match is on Sky Sports Premier League in the UK. Those Stateside can watch on USA or NBC Sports streaming. In Canada, it’s on DAZN and Fubo.
Everyone else, head on over to LiveSoccerTV to find your viewing options.
Predicted Lineup
Manchester United possible starting lineup:
Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Mainoo; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Cunha; Sesko
