Rúben Amorim must make at least one change to his starting XI as Manchester United take on Man City in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.
With Manchester United returning to action earlier this week following the March international break, Rúben Amorim is turning his attention to face Man City at Old Trafford.
On Tuesday evening, United fell to a 1-0 loss away from home against Nottingham Forest. Despite the poor result and lack of clinical finishing, many commented that Amorim’s team looked better on the ball.
However, the 40-year-old will be hoping his team will be able to rediscover their finishing touch when they aim to face Pep Guardiola’s men on Sunday afternoon during the Manchester Derby.
With United also competing in the Europa League, Amorim will have one eye on their clash against Olympique Lyonnais in France next Thursday.
Amorim must make one change against City
One player who has not come off well following the Forest loss is 20-year-old Alejandro Garnacho, whose performance in Nottingham was branded “abysmal” after the player failed to take advantage of multiple attacking scenarios.
Although hs had 82 touches and created five chances on the night, the winger was blamed for many of the club’s breakaways breaking down as he looked laboured and unimaginative on the ball.
Tuesday night also saw the return of Mason Mount, who Amorim has previously hailed as a “perfect” player despite his continuing injury issues.
Mount has not started for United since they last played City during a 2-1 in December, but the second Manchester Derby of the season poses the perfect chance for the English midfielder to resume his role as a left-sided attacking midfielder.
When he came on against Forest, the 26-year-old looked sharp and took a good pot shot that sailed just wide of Matz Sels’ left post, clearly earger to net his second goal for the club.
How United could line up against Man City
André Onana will start in goal as always, and the back five that played against Forest might stick, although it’s hoped that Leny Yoro and Noussair Mazraoui will swap sides.
In midfield, if Mount starts in the front line, Bruno Fernandes could drop deeper to play alongside Manuel Ugarte, who only played 45 minutes against Forest. Casemiro could start over Ugarte, but Amorim may choose to save him for the Lyon fixtures.
In attack, Joshua Zirkzee started as the striker against Forest but looked better once he dropped to an attacking-midfield role, and he may play on the right if Garnacho is dropped.
This would then allow Rasmus Højlund to return to the XI as the centre-forward after he was given a bench role in midweek.
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