Manchester United are back in action this weekend as they face Manchester City at Old Trafford – the last game before the last international break of the calendar year.
After that embarrassing 5-0 defeat to Liverpool two weeks ago, a somewhat successful recovery attempt has been made by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his side.
Last week, they comfortably dispatched Tottenham Hotspur away from home, a game which cost Nuno Espirito Santo his job at the London club. Three days later, a double from Cristiano Ronaldo rescued a point at Atalanta in the Champions League.
Victory over Pep Guardiola’s side on Saturday would see the two sides go level on points, despite the two side’s very different treatment in the press.
Read more: Luke Shaw praises outcast Manchester United star after Atalanta draw
Solskjaer’s team selection will be an interesting one as he could be forced to deal with a couple of injury absentees. Victor Lindelof was ruled out of the game in Bergamo but could make his return, whilst Raphael Varane has been ruled out for the next 3-4 weeks.
Marcus Rashford came off the bench against Tottenham and started at Atalanta but if Solskjaer’s blueprint against Manchester City in the past is anything to go by, the 24-year-old is almost nailed on to start this weekend.
Rashford offers something completely different on the counter-attack and his stellar record against United’s rivals will certainly aid his bid to start the game.
Predicted Manchester United XI: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Bailly, Maguire, Shaw; McTominay, Fred; Greenwood, Fernandes, Rashford; Ronaldo
