Erik ten Hag has named his starting line-up for Manchester United’s Premier League showdown with neighbours Manchester City at Old Trafford this afternoon, making three changes.
United, who beat their neighbours 2-1 in this fixture last season, will be going in search of a fourth successive victory following Tuesday night’s 1-0 win over FC Copenhagen in the Champions League. Harry Maguire netted the only goal of the game to secure the Reds their first European win of the season.
It means Ten Hag will be determined to see his side add another win to their collection, though he will also be keen for a much-improved performance over the course of the upcoming 90 minutes. The Dutchman, who has won one of his first three Manchester derbies, has made three changes to the side that saw off Copenhagen.
Jonny Evans, Victor Lindelof and Christian Eriksen have come into the side, meaning Raphael Varane, Sergio Reguilon and Antony have dropped out. The three that have made way have been named on the bench.
Meanwhile, Kobbie Mainoo, for the first time this season, has also been named among the substitutes. However, the contest has come too soon for both Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Casemiro, who both miss through injury, despite training at Carrington during the week.
Having made the decision to make three changes to the side that was victorious against Copenhagen, Ten Hag will be hoping to see his side do enough to secure the local bragging rights, as they target a third successive league win. It is the inclusion of Maguire and Evans as a centre-back paring that has attracted the most attention from United’s supporters in the immediate aftermath of the team news being confirmed.
Below, MEN Sport has had a close look at what some of United’s supporters have had to say in response to Ten Hag’s decision to field Maguire and Evans as a duo in the heart of the back-four:
As you can see from the messages displayed in the tweets above, Ten Hag’s decision to name Maguire and Evans as his centre-back paring has left several United fans furious. Many of them cannot believe United are heading into an all-Manchester affair with the duo both starting, despite Maguire’s recent upturn in form.
