Manchester United will hope to get off to a winning start to life under Michael Carrick, who has returned to the club as interim manager until the end of the season.
Man United sacked Ruben Amorim earlier this month, with caretaker Darren Fletcher going on to draw against Burnley and then lose to Brighton in the FA Cup. Carrick, who won two and drew one his three games as caretaker back in 2021, now faces a stern early test as rivals Manchester City visit Old Trafford on Saturday lunchtime (12.30pm, Sky Sports Main Event).
Man Utd predicted lineup vs Man City
Man Utd (3-4-2-1): Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Mainoo, Fernandes; Mbeumo, Sesko, Cunha.
Man United head into the game without a win in four matches in all competitions. Three consecutive league draws against Wolves, Leeds, and Burnley has stalled their top-4 charge, leaving them 7th, while their hope of silverware ended in a 2-1 home defeat to Brighton in the FA Cup.
Man Utd team news vs Man City
All eyes will be on Carrick’s first Manchester United teamsheet since his return to Old Trafford, where he’s joined by former England assistant Steve Holland, ex-Middlesbrough manager Jonathan Woodgate, and former Red Devil Jonny Evans.
Carrick won’t be able to call upon Noussair Mazraoui, who is currently preparing for Morocco’s AFCON final against Senegal on Sunday. Matthijs de Ligt is injured and youngster Shea Lacey is suspended following his red card against Brighton.
However, Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo are both once again available for selection after returning from AFCON.
Bruno Fernandes will skipper the side, while Benjamin Sesko is expected to keep his place in attack following his brace against Burnley.
Carrick does have a number of key decisions to make, including whether to employ a back three or a back four, and whether to start Kobbie Mainoo in the middle of the park ahead of Manuel Ugarte.
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Can Carrick find the winning formula?
Man United have struggled to convert draws into wins this season, which has cost them a lot of points in their quest to finish in the Champions League spots.
Only Sunderland (9) have accumulated more league draws than United’s eight, three of which have come in their last three games in disappointing stalemates against the relegation-threatened trio of Wolves, Leeds, and Burnley – they’ve not played out four straight league draws since 1992.
United have also had to share the points in home draws against Bournemouth and West Ham, as well as trips to Fulham, Nottingham Forest, and Tottenham.
Carrick impressed in his first stint as United caretaker, during which he oversaw a 2-0 win away to Villarreal in the Champions League, a draw away to Chelsea, and then a thrilling 3-2 victory at home to Arsenal.
Carrick now has the opportunity to claim a big early scalp over Man City, who themselves have drawn their last three league games in a row.
