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Man City vs Man Utd: Gary Neville picks two United stars who MUST start derby
MANCHESTER UNITED legend Gary Neville has picked two Red Devils players who must start this afternoon’s huge derby against Manchester City.
Man City v Man United Premier League match preview
Manchester United will look to inflict Manchester City’s first Premier League defeat of the season.
Jose Mourinho’s side head into the fixture in good form themselves having beat Juventus 2-1 in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Striker Romelu Lukaku has missed the last two weeks due to injury and it is not clear whether he will be fit to start today.
But Neville does not think the Belgian should and instead wants to see Marcus Rashford play as the main central striker.
To me when I look at Rashford he’s the player that would cause City centre-backs the most problems
Neville says Anthony Martial should also get the nod on the left wing after a fine run of form of late.
“I hope Rashford plays up front, instead of Lukaku,” Neville said on Sky Sports.
“To me when I look at Rashford he’s the player that would cause City centre-backs the most problems. Martial will have to play on the left.
“There’s a big debate about who will play up front and I think it will be between Lukaku and Rashford.
Jose Mourinho: Lukaku in training ahead of Manchester derby
“But I think the way United are going to be pinned back at the edge of the box, I hope it’s Rashford.
“Whoever those four City centre-halves are, Rashford will be the one that will cause them a big problem.
“If he’s isolated up there, he’ll run those channels, he’ll give them that mobility.
“On the right-hand side, they haven’t got a right-hand sided player that I think is suitable anyway, they just haven’t.
“Rashford on the right I always think is compromised. (Juan) Mata on the right I always think is a compromise.
“(Alexis) Sanchez doesn’t like playing on the right, they all like playing on the left if they play wide.
“So whoever plays on the right to be fair is just filling a role.”
Manchester United will move up to sixth in the Premier League if they avoid defeat at the Etihad.
They won this fixture last year, coming back from two goals down to win 3-2.