Confirmed XI: Amorim’s XI to face City in his first Manchester derby! No Rashford or Garnacho! Hojlund starts! Amad & Mount to support attack?

Manchester United return to Premier League action on Sunday afternoon as they travel the short distance to the Etihad Stadium where they will face Manchester City – the first Manchester derby of the season in the Premier League. City have been in terrible form over the last ten matches with just one victory.

United’s form has been bad too but not as bad as City. United have won six of their last ten matches, losing twice and drawing twice. City sit eight points clear of United in the league this season and their form means that United should be looking to take advantage and get a much needed victory at the Etihad once again.

City are not the force they once were. Perhaps the pressures of the cheating investigation have got to them. Pep Guardiola is easily rattled too, which is great to see as he really is a sore loser. Maybe, just maybe, City fans in their droves will start supporting the club they supported before City won the Arab State Lottery!

Manchester United

Onana;

Maguire, De Ligt, Martinez;

Mazraoui, Ugarte, Fernandes, Dalot;

Amad, Mount;

Hojlund

Substitutes

Bayindir, Lindelof, Malacia, Yoro, Casemiro, Eriksen, Mainoo, Antony, Zirkzee

Manchester City

Ederson;

Walker, Dias, Gvardiol;

Nunes, Gündogan;

Silva, Foden, De Bruyne, Doku;

Haaland

Substitutes

Ortega, Stones, Kovacic, Grealish, Savinho, Simpson-Pusey, Mubama, O’Reilly, McAtee

The rivalry between United and City has always been big, even though City were not a force to be reckoned with for the majority of the history. The Arab State Lottery winners only started competing with United from 2008 and the allegations of cheating with the Premier League charging them for 115 infections, which will come out soon.

The matches against City of late have resulted in United losing. United beat them 2-1 to win the Emirates FA Cup at the end of last season but fell to a penalty defeat in the FA Community Shield, which City celebrated like it is an actual trophy! But since the start of the season, City have feel short of their competition, which is great to see.

Amorim will need to set United up well against City. Their defence will need to be impenetrable and their attack will need to hit City where it hurts. The midfield battle will need to be good for United and another defeat for City will hit them where it hurts and it will be so sweet to hear the moans from those who glory support City.

Written by Paul