Manchester United predicted XI to face Man City: Eriksen dropped as Garnacho starts

Manchester United vs Manchester City at Old Trafford is always one of the first matches that fans look for when the fixture list is initially released.

This weekend sees Erik ten Hag‘s reds match up against Pep Guardiola’s blues in a hotly-anticipated encounter, with Manchester United on striking-hot form having won their last seven competitive fixtures in a row.

The fixture will most likely see Erik ten Hag revert to his most trusted back line, with one crucial change at right-back as Aaron Wan-Bissaka comes in for the injured Diogo Dalot. Wan-Bissaka has made his case to start in brilliant fashion recently, performing well when he has been given the chance in the last three weeks.

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David de Gea is set to return in between the goalposts despite Tom Heaton’s good display against Charlton Athletic, and will be reunited with the familiar sight of Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane in front of him. Luke Shaw will most likely round up the back five.

In midfield, Erik ten Hag’s recent substitute changes have hinted at a potential change to the midfield trio we are so used to seeing run the show at Old Trafford. While Casemiro will certainly retain his position, he could be joined by Fred instead of Christian Eriksen as Ten Hag may look to sure up the defensive line.

Bruno Fernandes would then round up the three, continuing his position as on-field captain in the absence of Harry Maguire.

The front three is certainly up for debate as to who starts. While the striker position would usually be filled with Anthony Martial’s boots, Ten Hag has cast doubt on this as he revealed the striker has been out of training with a slight injury, and only re-joined the main group on Friday morning.

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Assuming Martial is not fit enough to start, the job of striker could fall to the hands of Manchester United’s recent player of the month: Marcus Rashford.

Having scored in his last eight appearances at Old Trafford, Rashford is a man on fire right now, and if paired with Antony and Alejandro Garnacho on the right and left wing respectively, he could be supplied with the chances to continue his record-equalling streak.

Full predicted XI:

De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Fred, B.Fernandes; Antony, Rashford, Garnacho.