Manchester United welcomes Manchester City to Old Trafford, and both teams are not at their best.
Erik ten Hag’s guys are doing just enough to pick up a few victories here and there, but they are a long way from reaching their peak.
Meanwhile, prior to the latest international break, City had lost three consecutive domestic matches.
However, the triple champions have since defeated Brighton and Young Boys in the Champions League and may be on the mend.
Furthermore, Pep Guardiola has few injury problems to deal with, whereas United has several.
Man United
The hosts have lots of fitness problems, especially in defence.
Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia are all out.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka is actually back in training so could be on the bench.
Shaw is hopeful of being involved soon, but the other two are out of action for the foreseeable future.
Kobbie Mainoo played for Manchester United’s Under-21s in midweek, but he is too young to be considered.
Amad Diallo has also been wounded.
Casemiro, on the other hand, is anticipated to be fit and return to the club, while Alejandro Garnacho is likely to be removed from the firing line after the FA began an inquiry into him for a ‘racially aggravated’ post.
Andre Onana will start in goal, looking to improve on his spectacular penalty save deep into stoppage time last week.
Diogo Dalot has a leg up on Wan-Bissaka in terms of match fitness and should start, while Sergio Reguilon will aim to start at left back.
However, Ten Hag may choose to insert Victor Lindelof instead.
Harry Maguire has been in excellent form in the previous two games and will almost certainly partner Raphael Varane.
United must make some decisions in midfield.
Casemiro will almost certainly return, but who will partner him?
Sofyan Amrabat, Christian Eriksen, and Scott McTominay are all contenders.
McTominay has been scoring for fun recently, and Amrabat would be a good backup to Casemiro.
However, if United are to overcome City, they must be able to create opportunities, which Eriksen can do from deep, thus he should be given the nod.
Mason Mount has failed to light the world on fire and will most likely be relegated to the bench.
Due to Garnacho’s anticipated suspension, Antony will most likely start on the right.
Marcus Rashford hasn’t been at his best this season, but he scored the game-winning goal in this same match last year and can always deliver a magical moment.
Bruno Fernandes, United’s captain, will then play behind Rasmus Hojlund, who will be looking for his first Premier League goal.
Manchester City
City’s injury report is considerably better, with just long-term absence Kevin De Bruyne and goalkeeper Zack Steffen in the treatment room.
However, because Manuel Akanji will be unavailable, Guardiola must select who will partner Ruben Dias.
Ederson will start in goal.
Kyle Walker will take over as right back, while Dias will most likely play as the left-sided center back.
John Stones should replace Akanji, while Josko Gvardiol should replace Nathan Ake at left back.
Rodri is set to start in midfield, with Mateo Kovacic slated to join him.
England teammate Phil Foden is poised to replace Jack Grealish.
He’ll take over on the right, with Jeremy Doku shifting to the left.
Julian Alvarez will then take over for Erling Haaland.
Man United vs Man City: Betting
Match Odds
Man Utd: 4/1
Draw: 29/10
Man City: 13/20
