Man Utd vs Man City predicted XIs with Kevin De Bruyne decision made for final derby

On Sunday, Manchester United will face their local rivals Manchester City in a highly anticipated Premier League match. This game is especially significant as it marks Kevin De Bruyne’s final derby for City, following the announcement of his departure at the season’s end.

As both teams gear up for this vital encounter, they are dealing with key injuries. Manchester United is missing several important players, including Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Amad Diallo, Ayden Heaven, and Jonny Evans. Furthermore, Matthijs de Ligt suffered a setback during their recent loss to Nottingham Forest, complicating the Red Devils’ defensive options.

Given these injuries, manager Ruben Amorim is expected to switch to a back three, bringing Harry Maguire back into the starting lineup. Alongside him, Leny Yoro and Noussair Mazraoui will complete the defense. Diogo Dalot and Patrick Dorgu will serve as wing-backs, providing width and support both defensively and offensively.

Amorim has cautiously expressed hope about Kobbie Mainoo’s return, but it seems more likely that Bruno Fernandes will play deeper alongside Casemiro in midfield. Amorim explained, “Kobbie is returning to training, but he hasn’t been active for a while, so we may have to assess his involvement.”

In attack, United will deploy Alejandro Garnacho as one of the two attacking midfielders, with Rasmus Hojlund leading the attack, supported by Joshua Zirkzee, who might drop deeper to help with ball distribution.

Meanwhile, Manchester City is also grappling with injury issues. Their star forward, Erling Haaland, has been out for several weeks with an ankle injury sustained in the FA Cup quarter-final against Bournemouth. He joins several other absentees, including Rodri, John Stones, Nathan Ake, and Manuel Akanji.

Despite these setbacks, City secured a 2-0 win over Leicester recently, and only minor changes are expected in their lineup. January signing Omar Marmoush is likely to continue leading the attack in Haaland’s absence, particularly after scoring against Leicester.

In defense, City might turn to academy graduate Nico O’Reilly, who will likely partner with Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol, with Matheus Nunes potentially featuring in the back line. In midfield, the experienced Ilkay Gundogan and Nico Gonzalez are expected to maintain their positions, ensuring a blend of youth and experience.

As the match approaches, much attention is on Kevin De Bruyne, whose impending departure marks a significant chapter in Manchester City’s history. The Belgian playmaker has been a central figure for the team for nearly a decade, helping secure numerous accolades, including several Premier League titles.

In an emotional message to fans, De Bruyne expressed his gratitude to the city and club, stating, “Football led me to all of you—and to this city. This city. This club. These people… gave me EVERYTHING. I had no choice but to give EVERYTHING back! And guess what we won EVERYTHING.”

His heartfelt farewell has struck a deep chord with Manchester City supporters, as they prepare for an emotionally charged derby. While De Bruyne’s future plans remain uncertain, his legacy at City is firmly secured as one of the club’s all-time greats.

The tactical setup for this derby will be crucial for both teams. Manchester United’s 3-4-2-1 formation allows flexibility and control in midfield, while providing options in attack. The wing-backs will be key in stretching City’s defense and creating spaces for Garnacho and Zirkzee, who excel at exploiting gaps between the lines.

For City, their 4-2-3-1 formation emphasizes ball retention and intelligent movement. With Gundogan and Gonzalez playing just ahead of the back four, their primary responsibility will be to facilitate transitions and link up play efficiently with the attacking trio. Marmoush, Doku, and Silva’s pace and creativity could pose problems for United’s reorganized defense, which may be vulnerable to quick counters.

As matchday nears, fans from both clubs have high expectations. The atmosphere at Old Trafford is expected to be electric, with thousands gathering to witness not only a battle for local bragging rights but also to celebrate Kevin De Bruyne’s immense contribution to Manchester City. Fans will be eager to see whether United can exploit City’s defensive weaknesses or whether City will maintain their dominance.