The mood around Old Trafford right now is... weird. You can feel it in the air. One minute we’re mourning the Ruben Amorim era that barely got off the ground, and the next, Michael Carrick is back in the dugout like he never left. Honestly, it’s a lot to process. Today isn't just any Saturday; it’s Derby Day. And the latest manchester united fc team news suggests Carrick isn't just keeping the seat warm—he’s tearing up the script.
Amorim’s 3-4-2-1? Gone. Tossed in the bin.
Carrick has basically reverted to a classic 4-2-3-1 for today’s 12:30 PM kickoff against City. It's a move that feels nostalgic and risky all at once. If you’ve been following the chaos this week, you know the lineup just dropped, and it’s a head-turner.
The AFCON Reinforcements Are Real
The biggest sigh of relief for United fans has to be the return of Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo. Both are straight back into the starting XI today. After their countries were knocked out of the Africa Cup of Nations earlier than expected, they’ve been training at Carrington since Wednesday.
It’s huge.
United’s attack has looked absolutely toothless lately, especially in that grim FA Cup loss to Brighton. Having Mbeumo’s directness and Amad’s creativity back on the wings changes the entire dynamic of how this team transitions.
However, we’re still missing Noussair Mazraoui. Morocco made it all the way to the final, so he’s staying put until after Sunday. Diogo Dalot is filling in at right-back today, but let's be real, we’re going to miss Mazraoui’s composure against someone as direct as Jeremy Doku.
Why Matthijs de Ligt Isn't Starting
There was a lot of hope that Matthijs de Ligt would shake off that nagging back injury in time for the derby. He’s been out for nine matches. Nine!
Carrick confirmed in his MUTV interview that while the Dutchman is back on the grass doing light work, the recovery has been "a little bit slower" than the medical staff first thought. He’s not even on the bench today. Instead, we’re seeing a center-back pairing of Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez.
It feels like 2023 again, doesn't it?
Maguire only just returned himself, coming off the bench in the Brighton game, so throwing him into a high-intensity derby against Erling Haaland is a massive gamble. But with Leny Yoro dropped to the bench, Carrick clearly wants experience and "heads" in that box.
The Midfield Pivot: Mainoo is Back
Perhaps the most controversial bit of manchester united fc team news involves the benching of Manuel Ugarte. The £50 million man hasn't really clicked yet, and Carrick has opted for a double pivot of Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro.
Mainoo has had a strange season. Rumors were swirling about a potential loan to Napoli or even a permanent exit because he wasn't getting minutes under Amorim. Now? He’s the heart of the midfield in the biggest game of the year.
It’s a "sink or swim" moment for the kid.
The Secret Midfielder Rumors
While the focus is on the pitch, the transfer talk won't stop. Journalist Ben Jacobs dropped a bit of a bombshell on Friday night, claiming United are in talks with a "secret" midfielder for a six-month loan.
Supposedly, this player has Premier League experience but is currently playing abroad.
The club’s official line is that there will be "no incoming transfers" this January. They want to wait for a permanent manager in the summer—with names like Thomas Tuchel and Oliver Glasner being whispered—before spending big again. But if the midfield gets overrun today, that "no transfers" stance might crumble by Monday morning.
The Full Starting XI vs. Man City
If you haven't seen the confirmed sheet yet, here is how we're lining up:
Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Mainoo; Amad, Fernandes (C), Dorgu; Mbeumo.
Wait, Dorgu? Yeah, Patrick Dorgu is getting the nod in an advanced role, while Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko have both been relegated to the bench. It’s a massive shakeup. Carrick is clearly prioritizing defensive work rate and speed on the break.
What This Means for Your Saturday
If you're looking for an "actionable" takeaway from all this team news, here it is: expect a cagey, defensive United.
Carrick’s history as a caretaker shows he likes to stabilize the ship first. He isn't going to go toe-to-toe with Pep Guardiola’s possession game. By benching the big-money strikers (Cunha and Sesko) and starting the AFCON returnees, he’s betting everything on 15 seconds of magic on the counter-attack.
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Next Steps for Fans:
- Watch the Wing-Back Battle: Keep a close eye on Luke Shaw vs. Antoine Semenyo. Semenyo is making his Premier League debut for City today, and he’s a handful.
- Check the 60-Minute Mark: If United are level or down by one, expect Sesko and Cunha to come on early. Carrick has a lot of firepower on that bench if his "safety first" plan doesn't work.
- Ignore the "No Transfers" Talk: Keep an eye on midfield performance. If Mainoo and Casemiro struggle, the pressure to sign that "secret" loan player will become deafening before the Arsenal game on the 25th.
The derby kicks off at 12:30. Strap in. It’s going to be a long afternoon at Old Trafford.