Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has surprised some Manchester United fans for his team selection for the 179th Manchester Derby at the Etihad Stadium.
The United boss has made two changes to the side that defeated Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
Anthony Martial is back from injury after being ruled out in midweek, and immediately returns to the starting eleven in a front three alongside Marcus Rashford and Daniel James.
The attacking trio will be looking to cause City problems on the break, with the hosts likely to have a lions share of possession.
READ MORE: Confirmed Man Utd starting XI to face Man City: Martial and Luke Shaw start
Meanwhile, Solskjaer has also opted for Luke Shaw in the left-back position ahead of Ashley Young and Brandon Williams.
Young looked assured against Spurs on Wednesday night, helping to nullify the threat of the potent attacking trio of Lucas Moura, Heung Min Son and Harry Kane. The veteran will find himself unlucky to have to settle for a place on the bench this evening.
See what some reds make of the team below:
Look who's back 👀#MUFC #MCIMUN pic.twitter.com/0CK36mZhvt
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 7, 2019
Hate how Luke Shaw comes back to a wee bit of fitness and is put right into the starting Xi and Williams is shunned to the side 🙄 ffs Ole
— Joel Ferguson (@Deadandgone70) December 7, 2019
Martial starts. pic.twitter.com/1EluiMBGs9
— United Xtra (@utdxtra) December 7, 2019
Would've played Tuanzebe instead of Martial personally. One thing you can't fault Ole for is balls I guess.
Martial's link/interplay needs to be ON IT today. Dropping & dragging players with him to create space + isolate Rashford/James with their wide CB's/FB's, AND find them.
— Adroit Cadet (@Adroit_Cadet) December 7, 2019
need that Martial Rashford Lingard chemistry back at it's best today
— justin (@justin_hmf300) December 7, 2019
Here we go!
Disappointed not to see Williams, think he's earned and deserved this + it's a derby so you want that bit of needle. Anyway, same as Spurs, really not confident at all, but hopeful we can do it. 🇾🇪 #MUFC
Join me on the watchalong here: https://t.co/Q9tGmpNxa8 pic.twitter.com/1wjfx0b2W6
— Stephen Howson 🇾🇪 (@MrStephenHowson) December 7, 2019
Attacking line-up from Ole. Two very obvious concerns, among many: how Shaw will cope with Bernado/De Bruyne on his side of the pitch (badly, probably). Lingard's role at 10 given his output is near zero for the past year.
— No Question About That (@nqatpod) December 7, 2019
Martial needs to turn up today, want to see some energy in his game.
Shaw worry’s me though, especially against Bernardo.
— JoshGI 🇾🇪 (@JoshGI97) December 7, 2019