Manchester United attacker Cristiano Ronaldo could make just his second start of the Premier League season in Sunday's Manchester derby with Manchester City at the Etihad. The 37-year-old has failed to click into gear this term, but Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial's injuries means that he is increasingly likely to feature from the off this weekend. Rashford's thigh problem and Martial's Achilles issue has prevented them from taking part in full training recently, and both attackers are considered major doubts for the derby.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Martin Dubravka, Brandon Williams and Donny van de Beek are further injury concerns for the visitors, but none of the quintet would have started at the Etihad anyway. Centre-back Harry Maguire also returned from England duty with a tight hamstring, but Erik ten Hag was always going to continue with the Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez partnership here.
Diogo Dalot and Tyrell Malacia are not expected to be in any danger of losing their places out wide, and Ten Hag is facing another midfield selection dilemma with Casemiro and Scott McTominay. Fans have been calling for Casemiro to get the nod this weekend after his impressive exploits for Brazil, and the ex-Real Madrid man may finally return to the first XI alongside Christian Eriksen.
Antony, Jadon Sancho and Bruno Fernandes are all indispensable in the final third and should be given the nod alongside Ronaldo, but the five-time Ballon d'Or winner may very well be sacrificed for a false-nine system if Ten Hag wants to keep McTominay and Eriksen in the midfield alongside Casemiro. Man United possible starting lineup: De Gea; Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Malacia; Casemiro, Eriksen; Antony, Fernandes, Sancho; Ronaldo
