Manchester derby: Marcus Rashford must find a spring in his step, Sofyan Amrabat can provide midfield bite and Harry Maguire will be tested… United need to be FLAWLESS to beat City but January’s Old Trafford win offers hope

• Manchester United host Manchester City in a crunch derby this Sunday
• Back in January, Erik ten Hag’s men won convincingly but they’re now struggling
• Follow Mail Sport’s new Man United WhatsApp channel for all the breaking news 

In January, Manchester United came from behind to deservedly beat Manchester City and were proclaimed as officially ‘back’ by many.

There may have been a heavy dose of controversy about their 2-1 Old Trafford win, with Marcus Rashford suspiciously both offside and interfering with play prior to Bruno Fernandes sweeping home United’s equaliser.

But when Rashford tucked in United’s winner four tumultuous minutes later, it certainly felt like a corner had been turned after years of failing to match the old standards.

After that win, United sat just one point behind City and within touching distance of Premier League pace-setters Arsenal with half the season still to play.

As we know, City went on to win the Treble and as the two neighbours prepare to meet again there are few discernible signs United have progressed in the 10 months since.

Bruno Fernandes celebrates after drawing Man United level in January’s derby with City

Marcus Rashford then slid home to score United’s winner four minutes after the leveller 

United boss Erik ten Hag celebrates what felt like a hugely significant derby win in January

https://youtube.com/watch?v=GTIw4n0f2MM%3Frel%3D0

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City enjoyed 71 per cent of the ball back in January and will likely see plenty of it on Sunday, meaning United will have to be flawless if they’re to take anything from the contest.

But there are a few aspects from that last Old Trafford meeting Ten Hag may seek to replicate.

If United are going to have to sit in and absorb lengthy spells of City pressure, defensive resilience and organisation will clearly be essential.

But also swift midfield transitions to beat City’s press and get the ball to the wide attackers – especially Rashford – to cause mischief.

Twice in the first-half back in January, Rashford was played clear of City’s high back line but squandered the opportunity.

On the first occasion, United cleared their lines and Casemiro found Fernandes, who played the perfect quarterback ball from 10 yards inside his own half straight to Rashford running free on the left.

Ederson suffered a rush of blood and Rashford took the ball around the City goalkeeper but the angle was tight and defenders blocked his effort.

Later, another quick turnover saw Fred find Christian Eriksen, and his through pass led to Rashford out-sprinting Rodri before one heavy touch allowed Ederson to smother.

During the first-half of the January derby game, United cleared their lines and worked two quick passes in midfield to break City’s high press, allowing Bruno Fernandes to turn 

Before City could close him down. Fernandes played a perfect quarterback pass from 10 yards inside his own half to pick out Marcus Rashford, who had darted in behind Kyle Walker

Ederson rushed from his goal and Rashford took the ball around him, leading to this situation. Ignoring Anthony Martial, Rashford tried to find the net but the effort was blocked

Later in the first-half, United worked the ball out of a tight spot on their left, with Fred finding Christian Eriksen in a pocket of space near the halfway line 

Spotting that Rashford had made a burst and was one-on-one with Rodri, Eriksen didn’t hesitate and played the perfect through pass into the forward 

Rashford had the speed but not the execution as a loose pass allowed Ederson to smother

The equalising goal came from a superb curved Casemiro pass from the right that sliced through City’s lines, was just about left by Rashford, and converted by Fernandes.

These quick transitions from defence to attack, with minimal touches and two or three quick passes offer United a blueprint for this weekend.

Ten Hag’s United don’t really have an identity yet but the manager wants this approach to be a defining feature of how they play.

There are a few difficulties, however. Rashford was in the form of his life when that January derby was played, his goal the culmination of a run of eight goals in seven consecutive games.

In total, he scored 34 goals for United and England last season, including three at the World Cup in Qatar.

This season, the form of United’s most potent attacking threat has slumped badly, with just one club and one international goal in 16 outings.

Rashford has struggled to replicate last season’s blistering form during the current campaign

The England forward will hope to breach City’s high defensive line and take advantage 

In recent games, the impression taken is that Rashford is trying too hard to score the perfect goal and taking unnecessary extra touches.

It’s maybe not been helped by the fact he did score a stunning solo goal while on international duty for England against Italy last week.

But United will still look to Rashford to get in behind City’s defence and his duel with Kyle Walker will be pivotal. There are also signs of a nascent understanding with Rasmus Hojlund by way of first-time balls across into the box.

He’ll be even more important in this regard if Ten Hag mimics the game in January by playing Fernandes wide on the right instead of in his usual No 10 position.

That would mean Antony dropping out the side and in fairness the Brazilian hasn’t contributed a great deal since he returned to the team.

Mason Mount is a fresh option from last time – he could also play on the right side or as No 10, dropping back into midfield to assist when City have possession or leading the press when they try and play out from Ederson.

Antony hasn’t offered a great deal since returning to the side and could drop out on Sunday

Rasmus Hojlund will be United’s first line of defence on Sunday, putting pressure on City 

Hojlund will also be expected to press hard – the Dane almost forced a mistake from Copenhagen goalkeeper Kamil Grabara in the early stages on Tuesday night, though the skilful Ederson is a cut above.

Ten Hag then has an important decision to make in defensive midfield.

In January, he partnered Casemiro with Fred, the Brazilian doing a pretty good man-marking job on Kevin De Bruyne until the Belgian was able to supply the cross for Jack Grealish’s headed goal.

Fred now plays for Fenerbahce and Casemiro looks a shadow of the player he was last season. Indeed, Ten Hag expressed doubts on Friday he would even make Sunday’s game.

Yet the 31-year-old has experience of so many big games, you imagine he will be involved if he is ready. The big question is who to play alongside him.

Sofyan Amrabat is the obvious tenacious choice for a big derby game and the Moroccan should relish the role of breaking up City’s attacks before they get too dangerous.

Sofyan Amrabat could have the necessary tenacity to help United win the midfield battle

There are no assurances Casemiro will be fit following the injury sustained playing for Brazil

Scott McTominay (left) is in good form after recent goals and would warrant a starting place

Amrabat was taken off for Eriksen at half-time in the Copenhagen match but that was an occasion when the team was yearning for greater creativity, which the Dane provided.

But Eriksen could play in the No 10 position if Fernandes is on the right and that could open the door for the in-form Scott McTominay.

United like McTominay’s late bursts to the edge of the penalty box and he’s in useful scoring touch after those two dramatic stoppage time goals against Brentford and another at Bramall Lane.

He has form in the derby, too, scoring from an outrageous distance in this fixture in 2020.

The January game was at the peak of Ten Hag favouring Luke Shaw in central defence alongside Raphael Varane, ahead of Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof, who all sat on the bench.

Harry Maguire is likely to keep his starting place in defence following his midweek heroics

This time, Maguire would appear to be the favourite to continue his run of action against Varane.

The England man’s confidence is slowly building back up and his intervention was crucial in midweek. A solid display against City – the Premier League’s ultimate test – would really confirm a return to form.

City remain favourites to get a win at Old Trafford on Sunday. United may have won a few games but they look a long way from convincing. Their performance back in January offers hope, however.

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