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One thing that has been a hallmark of Ruben Amorim’s management of Manchester United so far has undoubtedly been the attacking line-ups he has selected.
However, against Arsenal he played two defensive wingbacks rather than the likes of Amad and pushed Bruno Fernandes back into midfield alongside defensive midfielder, Manu Ugarte.
Amorim will undoubtedly pick a similar XI today at the Etihad, attempting to stay compact and relying on Fernandes to be the deep-lying playmaker who initiates counter-attacks.
A leaked line-up (below), reportedly posted and then subsequently deleted by The MEN’s Samuel Luckhurst, suggests just that.
Harry Maguire coming in to the back three will allow Noussair Mazraoui to push up to wing back, with another natural full back, Diogo Dalot, the other.
Interestingly, as sources claimed on Thursday, Mason Mount and Amad are in the front three, alongside centre forward Rasmus Hojlund.
If true, Mount’s selection is a clear indication of what the head coach has in mind, a high press and plenty of energy as he attempts to put Guardiola’s possession-based side under pressure for 90 minutes.
Sacrificed in this tactic is Alejandro Garnacho in favour of the neater and more defensively disciplined Amad.
United will look to attack through the channels rather than rely on wing play.
One potential weakness in the approach could be that it will rely on Rasmus Hojlund playing with his back to goal and holding the ball up waiting for runners from deep. This was the approach Amorim used to great effect at Sporting to beat City 4-1 on November 5th.
On that occasion Amorim had the high-flying Viktor Gyokeres as his target man. But playing with his back to goal has been a weakness in Hojlund’s game so far in the Premier League, and he will be up against a world class centre back in Ruben Dias, so a lot will hinge on how that duel plays out.
Maguire’s inclusion, if the leaked line-up is correct, also suggests that Amorim intends to hold a slightly deeper back line than has been the case so far. Had he intended to play a high line, he would probably have selected the much faster Leny Yoro who would be more able to track back during transitions.
Maguire was also selected against Arsenal, but at that stage there were few other options available.
The derby kicks off today at 4.30pm GMT.
Featured image Justin Setterfield via Getty Images
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