Predicted Manchester United Lineup To Face Manchester City In The Pre-Season Friendly
Manchester United had an inconsistent season but it all ended well as they managed to qualify for the Champions League next season. Though they are busy trying to add quality players to their first team, they are also having an eye on their pre-season games and are getting ready for the International Champions Cup in the United States.
The Red Devils open their account in this competition when they face local rivals Manchester City at the NGR Stadium in Houston on the 20th of this month. Jose Mourinho is expected to give his youngsters a chance to shine but will travel with his full squad for this competition. Here is the predicted lineup he might field for this tie against Manchester City.
Team News
Wayne Rooney and Zlatan Ibrahimovic are the notable absentees in the squad while new signing Romelu Lukaku will not be a part of this game, as he is yet to be registered officially. Victor Lindelof on the other hand, is expected to play a role in this tie.
The Squad
David De Gea, Sergio Romero, Joel Pereira, Antonio Valencia, Matteo Darmian, Timothy Fosu-Mensah, Eric Bailly, Daley Blind, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Victor Lindelof, Axel Tuanzebe, Marcos Rojo, Luke Shaw, Demetri Mitchell, Ashley Young, Michael Carrick, Marouane Fellaini, Ander Herrera, Scott McTominay, Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Juan Mata, Andreas Pereira, Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford
Probable Manchester United XI
Formation: 4-3-3
Manager: Jose Mourinho
Defence
David de Gea and Sergio Romero will not be used in this game as Mourinho will try to give Joel Pereira a look in, in this tie. Timothy Fosu-Mensah was impressive last season and should keep Antonio Valencia on the bench, starting at right back while Demetri Mitchell will fight for a place at left-back with Luke Shaw for this game.
English star Phil Jones was used extensively in the final phase of the previous season and he should get a chance to start at the back for United, while Victor Lindelof might get a chance to start his first game in a United gear, in an intense derby.
Midfield
Axel Tuanzebe was one of the many impressive youngsters for the club last season and Mourinho should start him as the deepest of the midfielders against Manchester City. Scott McTominay showed decent mettle in the midfield when called upon and he should start on the right side of the midfield three.
Andreas Pereira was a surprise inclusion in the squad for Manchester United and he is expected to play as the furthest of the midfielders, getting a chance to get into the good books of the Portuguese manager.
Attack
Young Jesse Lingard is the least experienced attacker on tour for Manchester United and Mourinho will surely use him in this game against Manchester City. Juan Mata was rarely used in the final stages of the 2016/17 season and he could get a chance to prove himself in the first game of the pre-season.
Marcus Rashford has shown enough promise to be given a start from the bench, while Anthony Martial should be given a chance to win over the manager even before the start of the new season. The Frenchman should lead the attack for the side in this derby.
Here is how Manchester United could line up:
