Manchester United fans will be hoping that Ruben Amorim is able to do the double over their Manchester rivals, which would be the first case for five years.
Having not lost to Pep Guardiola this season, Manchester United fans will be hoping for more of the same from head coach Ruben Amorim.
The squad, however, has undergone a multitude of changes since United’s victory over City at the Etihad in April, namely, goal scorer Amad being unavailable due to injury.
The starting attacking options against City come in the form of Bruno Fernandes, Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Højlund, with the latter being praised by the United boss before kick off.
Amorim said to MUTV: “Rasmus, he has the pace, he has the quality and we’re going to try and use the pace of Rasmus to try and win the game.”
Højlund the hero?
The 22-year-old has only scored three goals in 26 appearances this season, with many fans questioning his quality up top.
If the young Dane helps inspire United to victory against their city rivals then those poor statistics can be just as easily forgotten, if only for a weekend.
In order for Amorim’s words to ring true, the striker will need to be wearing his shooting boots, with just nine shots on target registered by him this season.
It’s no wonder then that United fans have been crying out for Sir Jim Ratcliffe and co to splash some cash on a quality finisher this summer, with the likes of Victor Osimhen and Viktor Gyökeres being some potential signings.
Derby day confidence
Fans will be hoping that the United gaffer’s words of confidence pre-match will prove to be true, with the Ex-Sporting manager yet to lose against Guardiola this season, winning both affairs.
In order for history to repeat itself, United will have to deal with a fierce attack , with January signing Omar Marmoush up top, with the Egyptian eclipsing Højlund’s goal tally with an impressive five goals in nine games.
This will also be the last Manchester Derby for City star Kevin De Bruyne, who recently announced he was leaving the club after 10 years.
Will it also be the last derby for a number of the United squad? With Amorim set to bring in some serious changes in the summer, only time will tell.
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