Manchester United will travel to the Etihad on Sunday as the first Manchester Derby of the season takes place, which could see an Academy star have a part to play.
Following a pause to the Premier League season to allow for World Cup qualifiers to take place, Manchester United are back in action on Sunday, as Ruben Amorim’s side take on bitter rivals Manchester City at the Etihad.
While United’s start to the season hasn’t been great, picking up a win, a draw and a defeat, City’s has also been poor, picking up just three points so far this season after back-to-back losses to Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton respectively.
This derby is looking to be more important than ever, with this game giving both clubs an opportunity to properly get their season underway and claim bragging rights.
United fans won’t be quick to forget the last time the two clubs met at the Etihad, with United pulling off a trademark late comeback, with goals from Bruno Fernandes and Amad clinching a famous 2-1 win just before the turn of the year.
Academy star Jack Fletcher could feature
Despite the deadline day signing of talented keeper Senne Lammens, Amorim has already confirmed that Altay Bayındır will start the game, as he wants someone with experience in goal for such a crucial tie.
While no changes are expected across the back line, midfield is looking to be an area of slight concern. Both Mason Mount and Matheus Cunha have been ruled out of the tie due to injuries, which means captain Bruno Fernandes will most likely play in a more advanced role in place of Cunha.
This opens the door for Kobbie Mainoo to be involved from the start of the match, most likely partnering Casemiro due to the 33-year-old’s big game experience.
With Manuel Ugarte’s poor performances all season, including in the recent international break, Amorim could turn to Academy prospects to fill the gaps in midfield.
Having featured on the bench a couple of times already for the first team, Nathan Salt reports that Jack Fletcher, who Fernandes dubbed a “magic” player during pre-season, will probably make the bench on Sunday.
United left to rue not signing a midfielder
Even as early as United’s pre-season, it was evident that they urgently needed midfield reinforcements, something that Amorim acknowledged during the Premier League Summer Series.
Ugarte has been poor all summer and in the opening games of the season. While deployed as United’s defensive midfielder, the Uruguayan international thrived under Amorim at Sporting when given the license to roam, something he’s yet to enjoy at Old Trafford.
Casemiro, meanwhile, has looked a bit off the pace going into this season. Though he shone during the Europa League knockout stages last season, his league form was far less convincing, something which has seemingly continued.
Carlos Baleba emerged as United’s main transfer target, but failed to pivot to an alternative when Brighton quoted a price of £100 million for their Cameroonian midfielder, a price United were never going to be able to afford owing to their forward line transformation.
With reports suggesting the club may target a more experienced goalkeeper in January if Lammens struggles, the midfield also needs reinforcement before the second half of the season.
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