Manchester United predicted XI vs Manchester City: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s possible starting XI as striker looks set to miss derby clash

Manchester United will look to put the disappointment of their midweek Champions League exit quickly behind them as the face Manchester City in the derby on Saturday evening. 

The Red Devils were eliminated at the group stage of Europe’s elite competition after a 3-2 defeat away to RB Leipzig on Tuesday.

However, despite some inconsistent performances, recent results in the Premier League have been good reading for United fans.

United are on a winning run in the Premier League.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have won their last four matches in the top-flight which sees them sit seventh – just five points adrift of leaders Tottenham but with a game in hand.

The Norwegian boss will know though that facing Pep Guardiola’s side will present a much tougher challenge than recent matches against the likes of West Brom and West Ham.

City haven’t quite been at their best this term but, since a 2-0 defeat at Spurs, are unbeaten in five – winning four of those games.

The big pre-match question is, with a huge squad to select from, which players Solskjaer will task with winning a third derby in a row..?

Here we predict the Manchester United starting XI to take on Manchester City at Old Trafford…

Goalkeeper:

Dean Henderson played in the last Premier League game away to West Ham and, with David De Gea looking less than convincing against Leipzig, we feel Solskjaer could make a big call today and hand the English stopper another start. The 23-year-old has yet to let the Red Devils down and is really piling the pressure on the Spaniard. Sometimes big games need big decisions and this could be one which pays off for United.

Defenders:

United played with a back-three against Leipzig which backfired in the early stages of the game. The Red Devils looked far better when they switched to a four and will stick with that against City. In terms of players, we expect Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof all the keep their places despite suspect performances. Luke Shaw is also expected to continue but in a more familiar left-back rather than left centre-back role. This means Alex Telles, who started at left wing-back, will drop to the bench.

Midfielders:

The sitting midfielders of Nemanja Matic and Scott McTominay were outplayed in the first half in Leipzig and were far too pedestrian for what is expected of a United side. Despite that, we don’t expect Solskjaer to change from having two sitters but that Fred could come in for Matic. In front of those two will again be Bruno Fernandes. The Portuguese playmaker is undoubtedly the team’s star man having contributed seven goals and four assists in the Premier League so far this season. This means the likes of summer buy Donny van de Beek and Paul Pogba, whose future is uncertain, will be kept in reserve.

Forwards:

The big news in attack is that Edinson Cavani looks set to miss out through injury. However, in better news for Solskjaer, Anthony Martial is available again after missing the Leipzig game through injury and will start in the centre-forward position. Alongside the Frenchman, local boy Marcus Rashford, who has three goals in his last five matches, and Mason Greenwood, who scored his first Premier League goal of the season in the win at West Ham last week, should start in the wide attacking areas.

Predicted Manchester United XI: Henderson; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw; Fred, McTominay, Fernandes; Greenwood, Rashford; Martial.