Manchester United’s potential starting line-up for the highly anticipated Manchester derby against Manchester City has reportedly been leaked.
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Set to face their cross-town rivals at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, Ruben Amorim’s side enters the match under pressure, having lost their last two Premier League games.
However, a midweek 2-1 Europa League victory over Viktoria Plzen offered some respite.
The ‘leaked’ team sheet, shared by Manchester Evening News journalist Samuel Luckhurst on Saturday evening, hints at some major changes to Amorim’s line-up.
The proposed starting XI features Onana; Maguire, De Ligt, Martinez; Mazraoui, Ugarte, Fernandes, Dalot; Mount, Amad; Hojlund.
If accurate, this line-up marks a significant shift, with Harry Maguire returning in a three-man defense and Noussair Mazraoui pushed into an advanced role.
Tyrell Malacia, Casemiro, and Marcus Rashford are notably absent, with Manuel Ugarte and Mason Mount stepping into midfield roles.
Rasmus Hojlund, fresh off a brace in the Europa League, leads the attack, replacing Joshua Zirkzee.
This leak comes amid controversy surrounding team news leaks at United, with accusations previously targeting family members of players.
Roberto Garnacho, Alejandro Garnacho’s brother, denied any involvement earlier this week. Similar leaks troubled previous managers such as Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and Erik ten Hag.
United currently sit in 13th place in the Premier League, nine points behind their rivals, who are fifth.
Pep Guardiola’s City will aim to close the gap on third-placed Arsenal with a win, setting the stage for an intense showdown in Manchester.
