Manchester City vs Manchester United Preview
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| Image Source: Manchester Evening News |
Manchester United make the short trip over to The Etihad for the second leg of the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup. After a disastrous first leg, that saw United lose 3-1 at home, 3-0 at half-time, Solskjaer and the team will look to make some serious amends or risk another embarrassing showing. United responded to the losses against Liverpool and Burnley by beating Tranmere Rovers in what was a good performance for a change. But we'll need a lot more than that to beat a side like Manchester City.
Team News:
We need to go for broke against City tomorrow if we have to score 3 goals with no reply away to a side like City. Solskjaer has confirmed that Nemanja Matic won't participate but Aaron Wan-Bissaka and David De Gea will feature tomorrow. He also confirmed that Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay have had their casts off and will begin light training soon so that's something to look forward to.
So with the current options, we can expect a back four of Wan-Bissaka, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof (if he's back or Phil Jones) and Brandon Williams. I'd rather have Matic in the double pivot with Fred but now it seems like Andreas will partner Fred in midfield. We could see an attacking midfield of Dan James, Juan Mata and Mason Greenwood playing behind Anthony Martial.
Match Tactics:
Unlike other games, this time we can not rely on counter-attacks for our goals as there probably won't be enough outlets on that front alone to get three goals. Besides, City are very comfortable in possession and letting them keep the ball could be massive trouble for us. We need to give them as little time and space on the ball as possible and attack as a unit. If we don't attack as a unit and lose compactness, City can and will punish us with their slick, fast passing. Maguire and Lindelof or Jones will have to play a lower line so as to not get caught flat-footed far up in the pitch.
Predicted Lineup:
De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire (c), Williams; Pereira, Fred; James, Mata, Greenwood; Martial
Score Prediction: 2-2 Draw
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