Rohan Sengupta
Manchester United welcome neighbours Manchester City at Old Trafford on Wednesday after an embarrassing loss to Everton last weekend.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was forced to apologise to Manchester United supporters on Sunday after his side registered one of their worst performances of the season in the 4-0 mauling at the hands of Everton at Goodison Park.
The Red Devils have now lost four out of their last five matches in all competitions and face a difficult task of securing a top-four finish in the Premier League, which would seal their place in next season’s Champions League.
We have to quickly dust ourselves from the horror show at Everton and be ready against City, who are battling Liverpool for the Premier League title this season.
Team News
Antonio Valencia remains out injured while Ander Herrera and Eric Bailly could return to the United’s squad on Wednesday.
Luke Shaw has completed his two-match suspension and is available for selection.
Probable Manchester United XI
Formation: 4-3-3
Manager: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
David de Gea (GK)
De Gea has not been at his best this season yet he remains our first-choice in goal. He will look to put in an improved performance after a poor outing at Everton.
Ashley Young (RB)
Dalot royally struggled to cope up with the Everton attackers, so we could see Solskjaer go with the experienced Young at right-back.
Chris Smalling (CB)
Despite conceding four goals against Everton, Smalling has been very solid at the back.
Victor Lindelof (CB)
Lindelof struggled at right-back at Everton but he is expected to start in his preferred role at central defence on Wednesday.
Luke Shaw (LB)
Shaw’s suspension in the last few games saw United lack quality and width down the left. Now available, the defender will walk straight back into the starting XI.
Nemanja Matic (CDM)
Matic was really poor in the 4-0 defeat to Everton but there is no one better in our squad to do the job of shielding our backline. Hence, he could get a chance to redeem himself.
Scott McTominay (RCM)
McTominay has impressed amidst United’s woeful run of form of late. The team needs freshness and bite after the Everton bashing and Solskjaer should go with our academy star in the engine room against City.
Paul Pogba (LCM)
There’s no better game than the Manchester derby for Pogba to prove his class. He needs to step up and guide our team to a positive result on Wednesday.
Alexis Sanchez (RW)
Sanchez will be raring to make a mark and prove his detractors wrong when United meet City.
Marcus Rashford (LW)
Rashford’s form has dipped massively but Solskjaer trusts our academy kid and could hand him a start ahead of Martial on the left.
Read more: Man Utd receive massive boost as 27-year-old Man City star set to miss epic derby
Romelu Lukaku (ST)
Lukaku didn’t enjoy a happy return to Everton at the weekend but he’ll aim to put things right against City at Old Trafford.
