Well, folks, derby day is here. Manchester United head to The Etihad to take on an unbeaten Machester City, with Jose Mourinho looking to pick up where he left off on Wednesday night.
The Red Devils’ starting XI is in. Pre-match, all the talk has been about whether or not Paul Pogba will be fit for the clash, and the bad news is that the Frenchman has missed out completely.
That does present an opportunity for Marouane Fellaini to start in presumably a more advanced role. Hopefully, the big Belgian can make a real nuisance of himself and disrupt that City midfield with his physicality.
? In the red corner… #MUFC #MCIMUN
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— Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 11, 2018
The other big surprise is the fact that Alexis Sanchez is back on the bench. The Chilean started United’s last two games up top, but he has been replaced by Marcus Rashford; who once scored an absolute belter against City to win the game 1-0 in their own backyard. The only logic behind that change has to be sheer pace, as it seems as though Mourinho is expecting to play this match on the counter-attack.
I’m never confident going into derby matches, but the Pogba blow is a huge one. He was instrumental in this fixture last season and he will surely be missed. Hopefully, the boys can prove me wrong and take home a positive result.
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