Man Utd predicted line-up vs. Man City: one big change made as £70m midfielder makes comeback

Manchester United made it two wins on the bounce on Tuesday evening thanks to André Onana’s heroic last-gasp penalty save against FC København, but the Red Devils face a stern test in the search for a third win in succession – it’s Manchester Derby weekend, and the champions will be the visitors to Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.

Pep Guardiola’s side come into this encounter six points ahead of their local rivals but while they too have won their last two games, they suffered three defeats in four before their win over Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend.

We’ve got all that latest updates on the fitness of United’s defence and of Casemiro, who missed both of those recent wins thanks to an ankle injury sustained while in international duty with Brazil – and Erik ten Hag will certainly want the former Real Madrid man back in the line-up for the biggest game of United’s season so far.

Goalkeeper & Defence

The positive news for United is that their two recent defensive returnees, Raphaël Varane and summer signing Sergio Reguilón, came through the week unscathed and seem to be back to full fitness after brief absences from the starting line-up.

Unfortunately, we’re no closer to returns from any other members of Ten Hag’s walking wounded, with Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martínez, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Tyrell Malacia all still firmly on the treatment table with none of them likely to return for another month or so at least. England defender Harry Maguire is likely to retain his place after two starts in succession and the winning goal in the Champions League, while Manchester City will be without the services of Manuel Akanji after the Swiss defender was sent off against Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend.

Midfield

The big question is over the fitness of Casemiro – the Brazilian picked up what appeared to be a minor knock in a World Cup qualifier against Venezuela and was indeed deemed ready to play the full 90 minutes against Uruguay just a few days later, but the injury was slightly worse than feared and kept him off the field against Sheffield United and Københaven.

We’re waiting for updates from Ten Hag’s press conference but all current signs are that Casemiro was being rested to ensure his full fitness for Sunday, and he is currently expected to play. Jadon Sancho continues to be left out following his falling-out with the manager, while Kobbie Mainoo is another long-term patient of the physios. Kevin de Bruyne is the only known injury absentee for the opposition.

Forwards

There are no new injury concerns up front for either team, meaning that Ten Hag is more than likely to persist with a front three of Marcus Rashford, Antony and young Rasmus Højlund, who will be hoping to finally replicate his Champions League heroics in domestic competition for his new club. Amad Diallo is back in individual training but hasn’t returned to main squad exercises and isn’t ready to play against City.

Full predicted line-up vs. Manchester City

Onana; Reguilón, Varane, Maguire, Dalot; Casemiro, Amrabat, Fernandes; Rashford, Antony, Højlund.