The FC guys think a loss in the Manchester derby at Old Trafford would completely eliminate United's chances of catching City. Man City's Raheem Sterling talks to ESPN FC about the Manchester derby, Pep Guardiola's tactics and much more. Alison Bender previews the Manchester derby as Manchester United prepare to host Manchester City at Old Trafford. The FC panel react to Craig Burley's argument contending Man United supporters won't care how Mourinho & Co. go about their business against Man City. Mark Ogden answers your questions from social media ahead of the Manchester derby at Old Trafford. Stewart Robson weighs in on the tactics Jose Mourinho will employ against Manchester City at Old Trafford.
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho picked an attacking lineup featuring Romelu Lukaku, Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard to start against Manchester City., who named striker Sergio Aguero on the bench for the Premier League match at Old Trafford on Sunday.
With Paul Pogba suspended and Marouane Fellaini is still sidelined with injury, Mourinho has picked a two-man midfield of Nemanja Matic and Ander Herrera.
Antonio Valencia, Ashley Young, Chris Smalling and Marcos Rojo have been named in a back four in front of David De Gea.
Phil Jones returns after a six-game absence to sit on the bench, along with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who has missed the last three games as he continues his recovery from a knee injury. Henrikh Mkhitaryan has been left out of the squad for the sixth time in seven games.
Here's how #MUFC line up for this afternoon's derby clash! #MUNMCI pic.twitter.com/XSx9vqPsz4
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 10, 2017
The biggest surprise on the City teamsheet was to see Aguero on the bench, despite scoring eight goals in 11 Manchester derby appearances -- including four at Old Trafford.
Pep Guardiola instead preferred Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus, who he admitted, in the build-up to the game, was better at pressing defenders who are comfortable with the ball.
Vincent Kompany and Fabian Delph were the big doubts for the derby and both have been passed fit to play.
City captain Kompany will be a particular relief -- with fellow centre back John Stones missing -- after the Belgian missed the midweek Champions League against Shakhtar Donetsk after "feeling something." Delph, meanwhile, was suffering with illness and was expected to be back.
Team News | How City line-up for the 175th #manchesterderby!
Presented by @haysworldwide #utdvcity pic.twitter.com/WGSjoi5iIx
— Manchester City (@ManCity) December 10, 2017
It's not a shock to see the Catalan stick to his attacking principles by selecting an offensive lineup but his defence could face a test against a strong United forward line that they have not been used to in recent weeks.
ESPN FC's Manchester City correspondent Jonathan Smith contributed to this report
Rob is ESPN FC's Manchester United correspondent. Follow him on Twitter @RobDawsonESPN.
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Source: espn.co.uk