1) Will Rashford expose City’s high defensive line?
Manchester United’s resurgence since being trounced 6-3 by Manchester City in October’s reverse fixture helps to set up the 189th derby as the most fascinating in recent years. Pep Guardiola’s champions have dropped four points from the last 12 while Erik ten Hag’s ever-improving side have claimed 23 from the last 30 available. Guardiola has recent form for questionable calls: he didn’t start Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne in the Carabao Cup defeat at Southampton on Wednesday and left it until too late to make changes when drawing with Everton last month. In Marcus Rashford – 15 goals in all competitions – United have the type of pacy forward that can expose their rivals’ high line but City have a fine record of responding to mid-campaign dips. In true sat-on-the-fence fashion, the view here is that this local joust is incredibly difficult to call. Jamie Jackson
