Rúben Amorim is already being scrutinised for an early call as Manchester United prepare to face Manchester City on Sunday afternoon.
Manchester United return to Premier League action this weekend as Rúben Amorim takes his team across the city for a derby clash with Manchester City.
Neither side have enjoyed the best of starts. United have managed a win, a draw and a defeat, while City have also taken just three points from their first three fixtures, leaving them down in 13th place.
The Manchester derby offers both clubs the chance to spark their campaign into life and deal an early blow to their rivals in what has already been an unpredictable season.
When the two sides last met at the Etihad, United pulled off a dramatic comeback, with late goals from Bruno Fernandes and Amad sealing a memorable 2-1 victory just before the turn of the year.
Mbeumo can hurt City on Sunday
United have a few injury problems at hand, with Diogo Dalot, Matheus Cunha, and Mason Mount all unavailable for selection. The latter two are particular blows, having formed two of Amorim’s front three so far this season.
However, according to former Chelsea striker Chris Sutton, it’s Bryan Mbeumo who City must be most wary of, as he is a player who has the capability to hurt Guardiola’s side on the counter-attack.
“I can see Bryan Mbeumo hurting City, with United counter-attacking and him being a thorn in their backline, chasing balls in behind,” Sutton told BBCSport.
“I am also not as convinced by City if James Trafford keeps his place in goal. So, I think United will definitely score, but I still cannot go against City at Etihad Stadium because we know they will create chances there.
“It is a massive week for them, with Napoli visiting in the Champions League on Thursday before they head to Arsenal next weekend, and of course, people are going to judge them on these results.
“After losing two of their first three league games, this week could decide if they are in the title race or if they are ruled out of it.”
Amorim set to be scrutinised for goalkeeper selection
The goalkeeper selections could decide the result, with Sutton further expanding on the two new signings. United secured Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp on deadline day, while City signed Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain.
While some United fans have called for the Belgian to start, Amorim has already confirmed that Altay Bayındır will be starting, something Sutton believes the United boss will be scrutinised for.
“I don’t want to keep bringing up the goalkeeper, but City’s chances of getting the results they need will definitely be improved if new signing Gianluigi Donnarumma is in goal because right now they need a big presence there, and Trafford doesn’t give them that,” Sutton continued.
“The same position is a huge call for United boss Rúben Amorim on Sunday, too, but in a totally different way.
“United signed Senne Lammens ahead of Villa’s Emi Martinez, who has definitely got the kind of presence that brings confidence to his defence the same way Donnarumma does.
“We know Lammens has got these amazing save statistics, but there is much more to being Manchester United’s goalkeeper than that. As Rory Smith basically said on the Monday Night Club, they don’t count for much anyway, because he has been playing in the Belgian league and they are rubbish at shooting.
“Joking aside, what we don’t know at the moment is much about Lammens’ character or how he will adapt to the Premier League.
“Is he ready to be United’s keeper or not? If Amorim picks Altay Bayindir over him against City, then people are going to scrutinise that decision and ask why on earth he didn’t put Lammens in straight away if he rates him so highly.”
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