The news article focuses on Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim’s likely lineup for their upcoming Premier League Manchester derby against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. Amorim is expected to maintain his rotation policy, making use of the majority of his squad while only missing two players due to injury.
Key points from the article:
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Injuries:
- Luke Shaw (calf injury) is confirmed to be out of the game.
- Jonny Evans is also unlikely to feature due to a recent knock.
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Rotation Policy:
- Amorim has adopted a strategy of rotating players regularly to keep the squad fresh. This approach will continue in the derby against Manchester City, as most of his players are available for selection.
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Goalkeeper Situation:
- Despite making a mistake in Manchester United’s 2-1 Europa League victory over Viktoria Plzen, Andre Onana is expected to retain his position in goal for the derby. Amorim seems to trust Onana as the first-choice keeper despite occasional errors.
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Defensive Choices:
- Leny Yoro and Noussair Mazraoui are both vying for the right-back position. Yoro started in the loss to Nottingham Forest, but Mazraoui returned in the midweek Europa League match against Plzen. Given his experience, Mazraoui might get the nod to start.
- The rest of the defensive setup could remain unchanged, with Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez forming the central defense pairing.
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Midfield Adjustments:
- Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte are expected to play in midfield, bringing energy and fresh legs to the side.
- Bruno Fernandes will continue as captain and as a key creative force in the midfield, providing service to the attackers.
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Wing-back and Full-back Roles:
- Amad Diallo could revert to his role as a right wing-back, which would push Diogo Dalot to the left wing-back position. This move likely means Tyrell Malacia will miss out on the starting lineup.
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Attacking Decisions:
- Amorim may make changes in the attacking positions. Alejandro Garnacho is tipped to replace the inconsistent Marcus Rashford in the starting XI. Garnacho has shown promise with his performances and could be the preferred option to support Rasmus Højlund in attack. Fernandes will be key in supplying Højlund with chances to score.
Predicted Starting Lineup:
The predicted lineup for Manchester United against Manchester City could be:
- Goalkeeper: Andre Onana
- Defenders: Noussair Mazraoui, Matthijs de Ligt, Lisandro Martinez
- Wing-backs: Amad Diallo (right), Diogo Dalot (left)
- Midfielders: Manuel Ugarte, Kobbie Mainoo, Bruno Fernandes (captain)
- Forwards: Alejandro Garnacho, Rasmus Højlund
This lineup suggests Amorim is prioritizing fresh legs and tactical flexibility, with key players like Fernandes and Onana continuing their roles despite some inconsistencies. The approach reflects his desire to rotate the squad effectively, giving his team the best chance to compete against Manchester City in a high-stakes derby.