---
title: "Manchester United predicted XI: Odion Ighalo to start in Manchester derby"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/manchester-united-predicted-xi-odion-ighalo-to-start-in-manchester-derby/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Liam Sterling"
section: "Manchester United Football Club"
published: "2020-03-08T04:00:29Z"
modified: "2020-03-08T04:00:29Z"
---

# Manchester United predicted XI: Odion Ighalo to start in Manchester derby

**Manchester United will be looking to bolster their chances of a top-four finish at home against Manchester City later today, and the Red Devils will be hoping that VAR is on their side once again after being gifted a lifeline against Everton last week to earn a draw.**

Portuguese star Bruno Fernandes salvaged a point for United against the Toffees, after scoring a superb goal from outside the box to beat Jordan Pickford – the midfielder’s goal was his second since coming to England, and put his total to 2 goals and 2 assists in his first four games, averaging 4 shots per game. \[[WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/32/Show/England-Manchester-United)\]

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be glad to see the possible returns of Welsh youngster Daniel James and English fullback Aaron Wan-Bissaka after both picking up knocks in recent games. James suffered an injury against Club Brugge last Thursday in the Europa League and Wan-Bissaka picked up a slight back issue after completing 90 minutes against Everton last Sunday. \[[Manchester Evening News](https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/man-utd-injury-news-pogba-17861306)\]

So, how will United lineup against City?

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/lineup-3.png)

David De Gea’s aim will be to make up for mistakes this season and prove why he is Utd’s No.1 – the Spaniard has made seven goalkeeping errors that have led to goals since the start of last season \[[Sky Sports](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/11947569/jordan-pickford-is-not-a-good-goalkeeper-says-roy-keane)\].

Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof are topping the charts for the Red Devils in both clearances and aerial battles won – Maguire (125 and 135), Lindelof (85 and 70) – and have proved themselves as United’s best centre-back pairing so far this season \[[Premier League](https://www.premierleague.com/clubs/12/Manchester-United/stats)\].

Brandon Williams should be starting over Luke Shaw in a game of this magnitude. The local Mancunian has conceded just [nine](https://www.premierleague.com/players/23834/Brandon-Williams/stats) goals when playing at left-back, [two fewer](https://www.premierleague.com/players/4608/Luke-Shaw/stats?co=1&se=274) than Shaw – as well as this the youngster averages the same amount of tackles per game (1.4) \[[WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/32/Show/England-Manchester-United)\].

A deeper midfield pairing of Scott McTominay and Fred should prove decisive in breaking up Manchester City’s midfield play – the Scotsman proved important before his injury setback in December 2019, scoring against top-four rivals Arsenal, and is looking to cement his permanent place in Solskjaer’s team.

Fred has been one of the first names on the teamsheet this season – the Brazilian has the most interceptions compared to the rest of United’s midfield with 34 \[[Premier League](https://www.premierleague.com/clubs/12/Manchester-United/stats)\].

Fernandes will no doubt start in an advanced midfield role, proving his worth since his arrival – this will likely be followed with Martial playing left midfield, the Frenchman is United’s second-highest goalscorer this season in the league with 10 goals \[[Premier League](https://www.premierleague.com/clubs/12/Manchester-United/stats)\], and the return of Daniel James at right midfield will add to the creativity seen in Bruno Fernandes – the Welshman is top of the charts for assists for United in the Premier League, leading the way with six \[[Premier League](https://www.premierleague.com/clubs/12/Manchester-United/stats)\].

Marcus Rashford is still out on the sidelines with an expected return in April – his injury back in mid-January led to the return of Odion Ighalo back to the Premier League, with the Nigerian scoring 15 goals for Watford in his debut season back in 2015/16 \[[Premier League](https://www.premierleague.com/players/10957/Odion-Ighalo/overview)\]. He could have the chance to start up top on Sunday, having shown signs of that form Premier League spectators saw five years ago.

***How would you line up? Join the discussion by commenting below…***