Man United predicted line-up vs Man City as duo return and Zirkzee starts (2025)

Manchester United will be targeting a return to winning ways when they welcome neighbours Manchester City to Old Trafford in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.

United's unbeaten run came to an end in midweek with a 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. Former Reds winger Anthony Elanga settled the contest by scoring the winner after just five minutes.

United played well for the majority of the game and had more than enough chances to get something from the contest, meaning they will be need to be more clinical in front of goal against City, as they go in search of a first league double over their rivals since the 2019/20 season.

Ahead of the visit of the Blues, head coach Ruben Amorim has confirmed United could welcome Kobbie Mainoo back into the equation after missing the last nine games with a muscle issue. However, Matthijs de Ligt is a potential doubt after sustaining an ankle issue in midweek and will be assessed.

As ever, Andre Onana is expected to start in goal and maintain his 100 per cent record of starting every league game since joining United from Inter Milan in July 2023. He has faced City six times in his career and is yet to keep a clean sheet against them.

Amid concerns De Ligt may be unavailable, Noussair Mazraoui could once again be tasked with starting on the right of the back-three. He had a difficult night against Forest, struggling defensively, but one bad night at the office should not override all of the good work he has done this season.

Harry Maguire stepped off the bench at the City Ground in the latter stages to act as a makeshift striker, but he could be restored to the back-three as a starter against City. Leny Yoro is another likely starter in United's rearguard.

The prospect of Mazraoui starting at right-sided centre-back means Diogo Dalot should have a free run at starting at right wing-back for the second game running. Patrick Dorgu is a shoo-in on the opposite flank.

After starting as one of the two No.10s against Forest, Bruno Fernandes could drop back into a more reserved role against Pep Guardiola's side and join forces with Ugarte. The Premier League's Player of the Month for March has been much more effective in a deeper role in the last couple of months or so.

Amorim faces a potential selection dilemma in the No.10 positions, with Alejandro Garnacho, Mason Mount, Christian Eriksen and Joshua Zirkzee all pushing for starts. Mainoo could also be in the back in the squad, but he is unlikely to start.

Despite the erratic nature of some of his performance against Forest, Garnacho could retain his place and be joined in the No.10 positions by Zirkzee, who has played well of late when operating in that position, after he started up front in midweek.

Rasmus Hojlund is likely to return and lead the line after starting on the bench at the City Ground.

United predicted XI vs City: Onana; Mazraoui (De Ligt, if fit), Maguire, Yoro; Dalot, Ugarte, Fernandes, Dorgu; Garnacho, Zirkzee; Hojlund.

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