Manchester United take on local rivals Manchester City on Sunday in what will be Kevin De Bruyne’s final derby after it was announced that he will be leaving in the summer
Manchester United are set to host local rivals Manchester City in the Premier League, with both sides missing several key players. The hosts will be without long-term absentees Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Amad, Ayden Heaven and Jonny Evans, while Matthijs de Ligt picked up an “issue” in the recent defeat to Nottingham Forest.
As a result, United look set to welcome Harry Maguire back to the starting lineup alongside Leny Yoro and Noussair Mazraoui in a back three with Diogo Dalot and Patrick Dorgu continuing as wing-backs.
Ruben Amorim revealed ahead of the game that Kobbie Mainoo could be back in contention, but Bruno Fernandes is more likely to drop back alongside Casemiro in midfield. “I think Kobbie is returning to training, so we’ll see and assess for this game already,” Amorim said in his pre-season press conference.
“Of course, he cannot play a full game, he’s a long time without training. I think Matta [de Ligt] has an issue. He has something during the game [at Forest] and we have to assess. I think the rest is normal.”
Alejandro Garnacho is set to continue as one of the two No. 10s, while Joshua Zirkzee could drop back alongside as Rasmus Hojlund returns to lead the line.
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City, meanwhile, have seen Erling Haaland sidelined in recent weeks with an ankle injury he picked up in the FA Cup quarter-final win over Bournemouth. Haaland joins the likes of Rodri, John Stones, Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji on the sidelines.
Minimal changes are expected from the team that beat Leicester 2-0 on Wednesday, with January signing Omar Marmoush set to continue leading the line in Haaland’s absence after he scored against the Foxes.
Academy graduate Nico O’Reilly could get another opportunity to impress in the back four alongside Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol and Matheus Nunes, while Nico Gonzalez and Ilkay Gundogan are set to start in midfield.
Jack Grealish, however, may have to settle for a place on the bench despite scoring his first league goal since December 2023 against Leicester. Bernardo Silva could replace him in the No. 10 role, with Savinho and Jeremy Doku continuing out wide.
Kevin De Bruyne also appears unlikely to start in what will be his final Manchester derby after it was announced that he will be leaving City in the summer when his contract expires. In an emotional post on social media, De Bruyne wrote: “Dear Manchester, Seeing this, you probably realise where this is heading.
“So I’ll get straight to it and let you all know that these will be my final months as a Manchester City player. Nothing about this is easy to write, but as football players, we all know this day eventually comes. That day is here- and you deserve to hear it from me first.
“ Football led me to all of you-and to this city. Chasing my dream, not knowing this period would change my life. This city. This club. These people… gave me EVERYTHING. I had no choice but to give EVERYTHING back! And guess what we won EVERYTHING.
“Whether we like it or not, it’s time to say goodbye. Suri, Rome, Mason, Michèle, and I are beyond grateful for what this place has meant to our family. ‘Manchester’ will forever be on our kids’ passports- and more importantly, in each of our hearts.This will always be our HOME.
“We cannot thank the city, club, staff, teammates, friends, and family enough for this 10-year ride. Every story comes to an end, but this has definitely been the best chapter. Let’s enjoy these last moments together! Much love, KDB.”
Man Utd (3-4-2-1): Onana; Yoro, Maguire, Mazraoui; Dorgu, Fernandes, Casemiro, Dalot; Garnacho, Zirkzee; Hojlund
Man City (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Nunes, O’Reilly, Dias, Gvardiol; Gundogan, Gonzalez; Doku, Silva, Savinho; Marmoush
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