How Man United could set-up vs Man City with Pogba, De Gea, 3 others missing from the squad
- Man United will be hoping to return to winning ways when they battle rivals City at Etihad
- Solskjaer is expected to face a major squad selection headache with a number of players expected to miss the tie
- Paul Ppgba, David de Gea and Juan Mata are all unavailable for the meeting that could see Martial lead the line
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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could be without six key players when Manchester United battle table-toppers and rivals Manchester City at Etihad Stadium.
The match comes at a time the Red Devils are battling for form, picking just three wins in 10 of their most recent matches.
Their last outing ended in a disappointing barren draw against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in midweek, with the result denting their slim hopes of rivaling City for the Premier League title this season.
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There are currently a massive 14 points separating the Red Devils in third with City who are topping the charts with 65 points.
Source: Getty Images
However, with 11 matches left to end the campaign, there is everything to fight for as Ole eyes his first title with the Old Trafford dwellers two years after he was handed the job.
The Norwegian will therefore be keen to cart home maximum points when his wards travel across town to take an in-form City side who have won 21 matches on the bounce.
Possible Man United starting XI to face Man City:
- Goalkeeper: Dean Henderson
- Defenders: Shaw, Maguire, Bailly, Wan-Bissaka
- Midfielders: McTominay, Fred, Fernandes
- Forwards: Rashford, Martial, Greenwood
But he will have to do that without a number of key players, including Paul Pogba, David de Gea and Donny van de Beek.
Victor Lindelof and Edinson Cavani are also major doubts, with the latter conspicuously missing from the team that checked in at their hotel on Saturday evening, March 6.
The absence of De Gea will pave way for Dean Henderson to guard the net, with Eric Bailly potentially partnering with Harry Maguire at the heart of defence.
Luke Shaw and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are expected to keep their places on either flank of the backline as Scott McTominay and Fred provide cover in midfield.
Bruno Fernandes is set to play in his preferred no.10 role, with Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood forming part of the attack-line.
Should Cavani fail to play any role in the clash, Solskjaer will be left with no choice but to play out-of-form Anthony Martial up front to lead the goal hunt.
A favourable result over City will see United reclaim their place in second on the standings after Leicester leapfrogged them following their 2-1 win hard-fought win over Brighton.
Legit.ng earlier reported that Man United could miss the services of veteran striker Edinson Cavani when they take on rivals City in the Manchester derby on Sunday, March 7.
Cavani had missed four of United's recent fixtures with a muscular problem before he made a return against Crystal Palace on Wednesday night, March 3, but was withdrawn after just 14 minutes under unclear circumstances.
However, the Uruguayan was conspicuously absent as Man United squad made their way to their hotel on Saturday evening, March 6.
Oluwatomiwa is a sports editor with Legit.ng. He has over eight years of field and office experience in the media industry. He graduated from the Nigerian Institute of Journalism in 2014 with HND in Mass Communication. Connect with him on Twitter @TomiwaBabalola.
Source: Legit.ng
