A forgotten Manchester United star could be set for a starting spot against Manchester City after playing well against Burnley upon his return to the squad.
Manchester United have started the season well – forgetting the abysmal performance against Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup – with good performances against Arsenal and Burnley in the Premier League.
However, they have yet to name a full-strength 11 this season, as Rúben Amorim has had to start the season without several key first-team players due to injuries or simply joining the squad too late.
Andre Onana missed the first game against Arsenal, although it has become clear that the United manager now favours Altay Bayindir over the Cameroonian. Senne Lammens’ transfer will mean Onana is third in the pecking order.
Also missing from the squad has been Lisandro Martínez, who looks like he could return to full training before the end of the year, but will be out for the foreseeable future.
Benjamin Šeško only joined the squad after the last friendly against Fiorentina and has only started in the Carabao Cup. The Slovenian will be fit enough for a starting role against Manchester City, but Joshua Zirkzee will also be fighting for a starting place.
Mazraoui to start against Manchester City
Noussair Mazraoui returned to first-team action against Burnley, having missed almost the entire of pre-season after picking up an injury against Leeds United in the first match.
The Moroccan played on the right side of Amorim’s back three and reminded fans of what they have been missing in his absence, with his quick feet and willingness to join Amad in attack.
Against Manchester City, Mazraoui should be in line to start, especially as he hasn’t travelled with Morocco for the international break and will have almost two weeks on the training pitch.
Displacing Leny Yoro is unlikely, so Mazraoui could play on the left side of the back three – or with Yoro switching to that side. He could even play at left-wing-back with Diogo Dalot set to miss the derby after picking up an injury on international break.
Amorim favours balance in his back three – meaning a left-footer on the left and a right-footer on the right – but Mazraoui has proven his capability with both feet, and United could be out of possession for the majority of the game.
Mazraoui and Shaw to partner on the left side
Luke Shaw has started all three Premier League games at left-centre-back, with Ayden Heaven forced to the bench, but he could move higher up and play at left-wing-back against Manchester City.
Patrick Dorgu will want to return to the starting side, but Amorim dropped him for Dalot after his poor performance against Grimsby, and he may not be ready to put him back in the starting 11. Mazraoui could drop into the back three to allow Shaw to push higher.
Alternatively, Mazraoui could start as the right-wing-back, and Amad could join the frontline in the absence of Matheus Cunha and Mason Mount, who were both withdrawn due to injury against Burnley.
The fitness levels of the attacking midfielders are unknown, but Amorim may favour a more defensive approach against City anyway, meaning Amad won’t play at wing-back.
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