Debuts?
This is a game Erik ten Hag may finally relent and select what could be fairly described as a weakened team, particularly after Crystal Palace away was suddenly added to United's calendar.
Tom Heaton is deserving of a full United debut, having been injured for the League Cup win over Aston Villa and inexplicably overlooked for the next round against Burnley. Kobbie Mainoo has been training with the first team and his introduction to senior football is inevitable sooner or later.
Pellistri's chance?
Another - and long-awaited - entrance could be Facundo Pellistri. Even with United lacking depth in attack, Pellistri has not made the bench in the last four games despite Ten Hag lauding his performance in the behind-closed-doors draw with Everton last month.
Also read: Weghorst is a bold call Ten Hag has earned
Pellistri's future lies elsewhere and his agent indicated he would be on the move this month, though it is peculiar he remains permanently unused by United after faring respectably at the World Cup for Uruguay.
Derby preparations to continue
United's team against Everton on Friday evening also hinted at the XI against City on Saturday. Bar Tyrell Malacia, United were at full strength and many starters in the FA Cup will get a breather tonight.
David de Gea is likely to sit out the Charlton tie, Bruno Fernandes is suspended and Ten Hag has to protect Raphael Varane, Casemiro, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford, among others.
Frontman dilemma
Martial has started the last seven games and Ten Hag admitted on Friday United are treading a "thin line" with the Frenchman's durability. There is no immediate respite for United as the Palace game has been rearranged for next week and there is a chance they will not have a free midweek in February either.
Resting Martial tonight would be logical but the drawback is there is not an obvious alternative. Anthony Elanga, who may be elsewhere when the January transfer window closes, is in need of a start but not as much as he needs a goal. He has not scored for United since February 22.
Charlton
Across their 16 games with United in the Premier League between 1998 and 2007, Charlton never won. They lost all but two and their last 10 games against United reads like the start of a fantastical Welsh village: LLLLLLLLLL.
Charlton have not beaten United since November 1989, the month before Alex Ferguson's infamous winter of discontent. United have not lost to a third-tier team since MK Dons thrashed them in the League Cup in 2014.
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