Manchester United’s interim manager Michael Carrick is set for a challenging debut as they welcome Manchester City to Old Trafford this weekend.
The Red Devils announced the appointment of the former star as interim boss a few days following Ruben Amorim’s sacking. The Portuguese was relieved from his duties as head coach of the side after a 1-1 draw against Leeds United. Darren Fletcher led the club for two games, including the 2-1 defeat to Brighton, which knocked United out of the F.A. Cup. Man
United have failed to score in four of their last five home games versus Manchester City, but Carrick will aim for an immediate impact to kick off his second stint at the club.
United will be without the likes of Noussair Mazraoui, who reached the AFCON final with Morocco. Mathijs De Ligt will be out with an injury and youngster Shea Lacey will serve a suspension. Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo should be back in the line-up as their respective national teams got knocked out of the AFCON.
Meanwhile, Manchester City will aim to secure all three points from the derby to keep the chase for the Premier League title alive. Arsenal have taken six point lead at the top with 49 points, and City remain tied with Aston Villa in second place with 43 points. Pep Guardiola’s men thrashed Exeter City 10-1 in the F.A. Cup 3rd round last weekend, and followed the result with a 2-0 victory over Newcastle United mid-week in the EFL Cup.
Winter signing Antoine Semenyo has fitted well in Guardiola’s system, as he found the net in the 2-0 win over The Magpies. Man City bring a 13-game unbeaten run to the derby, and despite an uncharacteristic start to the season, they gathered momentum since November to get back right into the title fight.
Guardiola will have to do without Omar Marmoush, who is on AFCON duty. Josko Gvardiol, John Stones, Ruben Dias, Oscar Bobb and Savinho will miss the match due to injuries. Max Alleyne could be a start against United following impressive defensive displays. Rayan Cherki is expected to start in a 4-1-4-1 formation alongside Phil Foden and Semenyo.
Here are the predicted line-ups for the match:
Manchester United (4-2-3-1): Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Mainoo; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Cunha; Sesko.
Manchester City (4-1-4-1): Donnarumma; Nunes, Khusanov, Alleyne, O’Reilly; Rodri; Bernardo, Cherki, Foden, Semenyo; Haaland.
