Kobbie Mainoo returns, Noussair Mazraoui dropped – Manchester United XI vs Man City

Kobbie Mainoo is expected to return under Rúben Amorim as Manchester United face Man City away from home in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.

Rúben Amorim is preparing Manchester United for a high-stakes Premier League encounter against Manchester City, a defining early test for the new head coach.

United come into the game on a high after a 2-1 comeback win over FC Viktoria Plzeň in the Europa League, with substitute Rasmus Højlund stepping up to score twice and secure the victory. Now, focus shifts back to domestic competition during the busy festive period.

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Manchester City are in uncharacteristic turmoil, with only one win in their last ten matches across all competitions. Earlier this season, Pep Guardiola’s side suffered a crushing 4-1 defeat to Amorim’s Sporting, a result that exposed vulnerabilities in a team used to dominance.

With City’s ambitions of a fifth straight Premier League title slipping away, United will aim to deliver another blow to their rivals and climb the league table from 13th place when the two sides meet at the Etihad Stadium.

Six Man United changes expected

Rúben Amorim is expected to make as many as six changes from the team that started in midweek, with rotation still at the forefront of his mind.

André Onana will keep his place despite his recent errors, although two of the three centre-backs ahead of him will likely be swapped out. Lisandro Martínez is Amorim’s only available left-footed centre-back, meaning he will continue in the left centre-back position.

However, with Noussair Mazraoui and Matthijs de Ligt having played a lot of football of late (Mazraoui has started all but one of the games under Amorim so far, while De Ligt has started the last three), they may be replaced by Harry Maguire in the centre and Leny Yoro on the left.

As for the wing-backs, Tyrell Malacia was taken off before Diogo Dalot in midweek, hinting that the Dutch may be favoured for the left wing-back position following his fantastic display against Bukayo Saka last week.

Amorim has already hinted that he wants to replicate some of the ideas United displayed against Arsenal, with Malacia’s start potentially being one of these.

On the opposite flank, it’s expected that Amad Diallo will return as an auxiliary right wing-back as Amorim will want a player in the position he knows will produce the goods when needed against City.

In midfield, Kobbie Mainoo is likely to return after being rested against FC Plzen, and he may be partnered with Manuel Ugarte, as the pair have previously shown that their styles can complement each other in and out of possession.

In attack, Rasmus Højlund is a sure bet to start following his two goals in midweek. Bruno Fernandes started further back against Plzen but is expected to move further forward to the right attacking midfield position to accommodate Mainoo.

As for the left attacking side, Amorim may opt to play Mason Mount, with the player receiving a lot of praise for his performance off the bench alongside Højlund in midweek.

Man United’s expected XI

Onana, Yoro, De Ligt, Martínez, Amad, Ugarte, Maiono, Malacia, Fernandes, Mount, Højlund.

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