The talking is almost over. Manchester City head across town to Old Trafford this afternoon, with both Enzo Maresca and Michael Carrick facing some interesting decisions before the first Manchester derby of the season.
City arrive with four wins from four in all competitions, including Tuesday night’s 2-0 Champions League victory at Porto.
Maresca has already confirmed that Nico O’Reilly is “100% available” following his back problem, while Jérémy Doku remains out with a calf injury. So how might both sides line up?
Man City predicted XI
Gianluigi Donnarumma should continue in goal, with Rúben Dias, Marc Guéhi and Josko Gvardiol all strong candidates to keep their places. The interesting calls come elsewhere.
Matheus Nunes played at right-back in Porto, while Abdukodir Khusanov is another option there. O’Reilly’s return also gives Maresca a decision in midfield after Elliot Anderson started alongside Enzo Fernández in Portugal.
We think O’Reilly could come straight back in. Maresca clearly trusts him and his physicality would make sense at Old Trafford, although leaving Anderson out after City’s start would be a big call. Further forward, Rayan Cherki, Antoine Semenyo and Iliman Ndiaye are the leading candidates to play behind Erling Haaland.
Predicted City XI: Donnarumma; Khusanov, Dias, Guéhi, Gvardiol; Fernández, O’Reilly; Semenyo, Cherki, Ndiaye; Haaland.
Man Utd predicted XI
United have problems of their own. Amad Diallo, Matthijs de Ligt and Manuel Ugarte are unavailable, while summer signing Carlos Baleba is not expected to be ready. Luke Shaw has been a doubt after missing United’s Champions League game in midweek.
Senne Lammens should start in goal, with Diogo Dalot and Harry Maguire candidates to return after being rested in Europe. Lisandro Martínez should retain his place. Kobbie Mainoo and Youri Tielemans look the likeliest midfield pairing, with Bruno Fernandes operating further forward.
The biggest question is in attack. Bryan Mbeumo should start, but Carrick has Marcus Rashford, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko competing for the other places.
We’re going with Rashford on the left and Cunha through the middle, although Sesko starting at centre-forward would be no surprise.
Predicted Man Utd XI: Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Martínez, Shaw; Mainoo, Tielemans; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Rashford; Cunha.
There are enough doubts on both sides to make several of these calls iffy. We’ll find out for certain shortly before kick-off.
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