Interim manager Ralf Rangnick has named his starting line-up for Manchester United's derby showdown with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium this afternoon, with both Raphael Varane and Cristiano Ronaldo missing out.
United, who were beaten 2-0 by City in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford back in November, will be looking to get back to winning ways after last Saturday's goalless draw with Watford. They created a plethora of chances but failed to take them when they came their way.
The draw was enough to keep United in the top four, albeit by just two points. However, they will be keen to get back to winning ways this afternoon after failing to win their last two games in all competitions.
READ MORE: Man City vs Manchester United LIVE
Rangnick, who will be hoping to lead United to a fourth successive victory at the Etihad, has made three changes to the side that was held by Watford last time out, two of which are enforced. Harry Maguire, Scott McTominay and Jadon Sancho have come into the side, meaning Nemanja Matic, Varane and Ronaldo have dropped out.
Edinson Cavani, who Rangnick expected to return, and Ronaldo have not been included in the squad because of injury issues, whilst Luke Shaw and Varane have tested positive for Covid-19. However, the likes of Diogo Dalot and Marcus Rashford have been named on the substitutes bench.
Having made three changes to his team, Rangnick will be hoping that his selection proves to be enough to lead the Reds to a fourth consecutive away triumph over City. However, the home side will be looking to regain their six-point lead over Liverpool at the top of the table.
It is, unsurprisingly, the absences of Varane and Ronaldo that have attracted the most attention from United's supporters in the immediate aftermath of the team news being confirmed, with the pair both considered as big-game players. Below, MEN Sport has taken a close look at what some of United's fans have had to say.
As you can see from the messages displayed in the tweets above, the absences of Varane and Ronaldo have left United's fans fearing the worst. Whilst Varane has helped United looked United steadier at the back this season, Ronaldo's absence, although he has not been firing on all cylinders recently, is a blow.
United starting line-up: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Telles; McTominay, Fred, Pogba; Elanga, Fernandes, Sancho.
Substitutes: Henderson, Dalot, Bailly, Jones, Matic, Hannibal, Mata, Lingard, Rashford.
This afternoon's derby at the Etihad Stadium gets underway at 4:30pm and you can follow all of the action on our live matchday blog, which is here.
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