Pogba fit? Solskjaer to make 2 changes | Expected Man Utd line-up vs Man City

Manchester United take on rivals Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday evening. Here is the team we think Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will select for the game:

Goalkeeper: There won’t be any changes in goal as David De Gea is certain to keep his place with Sergio Romero once again on the bench.

Defence: Solskjaer may be tempted to freshen things up in defence with Brandon Williams pushing for a recall at left-back. Ashley Young would provide more big game experience but Williams has impressed when given the chance this season so he might get the nod.

Otherwise, I expect we’ll see the same back four that started during the 2-1 win over Tottenham with Victor Lindelof alongside Harry Maguire in the middle of defence while Aaron Wan-Bissaka will once again start at right-back.

Axel Tuanzebe and Luke Shaw are other options for Solskjaer but I think they’ll have to settle for places on the bench. Eric Bailly, Tim Fosu-Mensah and Diogo Dalot are still lacking match fitness.

Midfield: Manchester United will assess the fitness of Paul Pogba as he looks to make his long-awaited return from an ankle injury. The Frenchman has been training this week but he’s still lacking match fitness so I highly doubt Solskjaer will throw him straight back into the first team away to Man City. A place on the bench is probably the best Pogba can hope for.

Scott McTominay made a successful return to action on Wednesday night after recovering from an ankle injury and he’s certain to keep his place in midfield this weekend. Fred is also likely to start again and Solskjaer might be tempted to bring in another body to make it a three-man midfield to help break up City’s play in the middle of the park.

Nemanja Matic faces a late fitness test after spending the last month on the sidelines with a muscle injury but I don’t see him starting on Saturday so Andreas Pereira could come in to the Man Utd midfield.

Attack: Anthony Martial is expected to miss out once again after being ruled out of the Tottenham game with a muscle problem. Mason Greenwood start against Spurs but I think we’ll see the youngster drop out at City.

Marcus Rashford should lead the line up front fresh off his brace against Spurs with Daniel James keeping his place on the wing. Jesse Lingard may move out to a wider role but Juan Mata will have to settle for a place on the bench.

Here is how we think Manchester United will line-up: