Manchester United predicted XI vs Man City as Erik ten Hag makes big decision

Erik ten Hag is expected to make one key change to his XI as Manchester United welcome Manchester City to Old Trafford in the Premier League.

The Manchester derby comes at a time when both clubs are in desperate need of three points, very much for different reasons. Manchester United‘s poor start to the season has them sitting 8th in the Premier League table and desperately needing to catch up to the rest, while Manchester City are chasing league leaders Tottenham Hotspur.

United have won three games in a row across all competitions for the first time this season, recording back-to-back Premier League victories against Brentford and Sheffield United, and will see this City game as an opportunity to continue to galvanise and show the rest of the world that they can still fight in the competition.

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No changes are expected in Erik ten Hag’s back five after the latest clean sheet, against FC Copenhagen. Andrè Onana’s penalty save in the dying moments on Tuesday evening has given him a lot of credit at a time when some have been questioning his abilities, and he will undoubtedly start in goal.

In front of him will remain Diogo Dalot, Raphaël Varane, Harry Maguire, and Sergio Reguilón, who all played their part in stopping any goals from leaking in the recent Champions League tie.

In midfield, there is expected to be one change. Sofyan Amrabat and Bruno Fernandes are expected to keep their places, but due to the nature of Man City’s side, Fernandes may play a slightly deeper role, operating as a No. 8.

It is predicted that Ten Hag will drop Scott McTominay for Mason Mount, who will play alongside Fernandes as a second No. 8, with Ten Hag potentially keen to have his players play slightly further back in order to compensate for City’s dominance – Amrabat will fill in behind as Casemiro is still not 100% fit after an ankle problem.

Up front, Marcus Rashford will likely continue on the left wing after Ten Hag backed him to regain his form on Friday, with Rasmus Højlund leading the line and Antony, who the manager likes due to his ability to carry out instructions well, on the right wing.

Full predicted Manchester United XI:

Onana, Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Reguilón, Amrabat, Mount, Fernandes, Antony, Højlund, Rashford.