Manchester United Starting XI vs Man City: Confirmed team news and predicted lineup | OneFootball

Man United XI v Man City: Confirmed Team News and Predicted Lineup

The Manchester derby returns this weekend to Old Trafford, a fixture that always crackles with intensity and meaning regardless of league position. For Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim, the stakes are high — not only to salvage pride in a patchy campaign but to prove, once again, that this United side can still rise on occasion to meet their most familiar of foes.

City arrive as the more polished outfit, but United hold the recent head-to-head advantage. Victory in the reverse fixture at the Etihad, followed by Amorim’s earlier Champions League triumph over Pep Guardiola’s side with Sporting CP, frames Sunday’s showdown with a rare optimism for the red half of the city.

Injury Clouds Over Defensive Setup

The most pressing concern for Amorim is at centre-back. Matthijs de Ligt suffered an injury during the 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest midweek and remains a doubt.

“I think Matta [de Ligt] has an issue,” said Amorim. “He has something during the game [at Forest] and we have to assess.”

Should De Ligt not be passed fit, Harry Maguire is expected to step into the heart of defence alongside teenage prodigy Leny Yoro. Jonny Evans, Ayden Heaven, Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw are all confirmed absentees, leaving United stretched across the back line.

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Mazraoui and Dalot are expected to flank the central pair, while Patrick Dorgu is in line for a start, potentially as part of a back five or as a left-sided midfielder depending on Amorim’s tactical preference.

Midfield Reshuffle on the Cards

Kobbie Mainoo has returned to training following a two-month layoff with a calf injury, though Amorim admits the young midfielder may not be ready for full involvement just yet. “Of course, he cannot play a full game, he’s a long time without training.”

With that in mind, Manuel Ugarte is likely to anchor midfield, while Bruno Fernandes, who was moved wide against Forest, is expected to return to a more central role where he can exert greater influence.

Mason Mount is fit enough to start, but Amorim insists “we have to manage his minutes still,” indicating a potential role off the bench.

Attack Looks to Regain Fluency

Rasmus Hojlund is set to return to the starting XI after being left out at the City Ground. The Dane offers pace and presence through the middle and will likely be flanked by Alejandro Garnacho and Joshua Zirkzee in a fluid front three.

The key will be service — and cohesion. United’s attack has often lacked rhythm this season, but in derby fixtures, belief and bravery tend to matter more than chemistry.

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Predicted Manchester United XI v Man City

Predicted Lineup:Onana; Mazraoui, Maguire, Yoro; Dalot, Ugarte, Fernandes, Dorgu; Garnacho, Hojlund, Zirkzee

Injured: Martinez, Amad, Shaw, Heaven, EvansDoubts: De Ligt, Mainoo

Match Details

This is a match steeped in rivalry but framed now by necessity. For Amorim, it’s about more than points — it’s a moment to galvanise a fractured season and continue his recent habit of outwitting Guardiola. For United’s supporters, all they demand is that their side shows fight, structure and ambition — the kind of hallmarks that once defined this great fixture.