Manchester United’s manager, Ruben Amorim, is expected to maintain his strategy of squad rotation ahead of the upcoming Manchester derby against Manchester City on Sunday at the Etihad Stadium. With most of his key players available, Amorim is set to make several changes to the starting lineup, as he continues to prioritize fresh legs and tactical flexibility.
The Red Devils will be missing only two players due to injury. Luke Shaw, who is sidelined with a calf injury, will definitely miss the match, while Jonny Evans is a doubt, with only a slim chance of returning from his own knock.
Despite these absences, Amorim has a nearly full squad to choose from, which gives him the opportunity to make changes without jeopardizing his team’s competitive edge. One notable decision is in goal, where Andre Onana’s position remains secure despite a poor performance in Manchester United’s 2-1 win over Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League. Onana made an error in that match, but it seems unlikely to affect his place in the starting XI for the derby.
In defense, Amorim faces a dilemma between French center-back Leny Yoro and Moroccan Noussair Mazraoui. Yoro started last weekend’s 3-2 loss to Nottingham Forest, but Mazraoui replaced him in the midweek Europa League game. Given Mazraoui’s greater experience and his regular appearances this season, Amorim may choose to start him alongside Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez in the backline.
In terms of wing-backs, Diogo Dalot and Amad Diallo are expected to keep their spots. However, Diallo is likely to shift back to a right wing-back role, which will see Dalot move to the left flank. As a result, Tyrell Malacia will likely drop to the bench.
Midfield should see some changes, with Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte providing fresh legs alongside Bruno Fernandes, who will retain the captain’s armband and continue his role as the team’s creative force. Fernandes will likely be pivotal in supplying the ball to the attacking players, including Rasmus Hojlund, who impressed in the Europa League.
Up front, Amorim could make further adjustments by promoting Alejandro Garnacho to the starting XI. Garnacho could replace Marcus Rashford, who has been inconsistent this season, offering the manager more dynamic options in attack.
Overall, the expected Manchester United lineup could look like this:
Possible Starting XI:
- Goalkeeper: Onana
- Defenders: Mazraoui, De Ligt, Martinez
- Wing-backs: Diallo (right), Dalot (left)
- Midfielders: Ugarte, Mainoo, Fernandes (captain)
- Forwards: Garnacho, Hojlund
This rotation approach, combined with a focus on fresh players and tactical flexibility, reflects Amorim’s strategy of maintaining intensity and adaptability in a crucial match against their local rivals.