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

On Sunday, Manchester United will host their local rivals Manchester City in a highly anticipated Premier League match. This fixture holds additional significance as it is set to be Kevin De Bruyne’s last derby for the Cityzens, following the announcement of his departure at the end of the season.

As both teams prepare for this crucial clash, they face significant challenges with injuries. Manchester United has long-term absences to contend with, missing key players like Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Amad Diallo, Ayden Heaven, and Jonny Evans. In addition, Matthijs de Ligt sustained a setback during the recent defeat against Nottingham Forest, further complicating the Red Devils’ defensive options.

In light of these injuries, manager Ruben Amorim is likely to revert to a back three, bringing Harry Maguire back into the starting eleven. Alongside him, Leny Yoro and Noussair Mazraoui will complete the defense. As wing-backs, Diogo Dalot and Patrick Dorgu will provide width and support in both defensive and attacking phases.

Ruben Amorim has expressed cautious optimism about Kobbie Mainoo’s potential return, but it is more likely that Bruno Fernandes will operate deeper alongside Casemiro in the midfield. Justifying his decisions, Amorim stated, “Kobbie is returning to training, but he hasn’t been active for a while, so we may have to assess his involvement.”

United’s attacking setup will feature Alejandro Garnacho as one of the two attacking midfielders, while Rasmus Hojlund will lead the line, supported by Joshua Zirkzee, who may drop deeper to aid in ball distribution.

On the other side, Manchester City is grappling with their own injury concerns. Their star striker, Erling Haaland, has been sidelined for several weeks due to an ankle injury incurred during the FA Cup quarter-final victory over Bournemouth. He joins a list of absentees that includes Rodri, John Stones, Nathan Ake, and Manuel Akanji.

Despite these challenges, City managed a recent 2-0 victory over Leicester, and minimal changes are anticipated in their lineup. January signing Omar Marmoush is expected to continue leading the attack in Haaland’s absence, especially after finding the net against the Foxes.

In defense, City may opt to utilize academy graduate Nico O’Reilly, who will likely partner with Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol while Matheus Nunes could also play a key role in the back line. In midfield, the experienced Ilkay Gundogan and Nico Gonzalez are expected to maintain their presence, ensuring a blend of youth and experience.

As the match approaches, the spotlight shines on Kevin De Bruyne, whose impending departure marks a significant moment in Manchester City’s history. The Belgian playmaker has been a cornerstone of the team for nearly a decade, contributing to numerous accolades, including multiple Premier League titles.

In an emotional message to fans, De Bruyne expressed his gratitude towards the city and the 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 resonates deeply with Manchester City’s faithful, as they brace for an emotionally charged atmosphere during the derby. De Bruyne’s plans for the future remain uncertain, but his legacy at City is firmly cemented as one of the club’s all-time greats.

The tactical approach for this derby will be pivotal for both sides. Manchester United’s 3-4-2-1 formation allows for flexibility and control in midfield while providing options in attack. The wing-backs will play a crucial role in this setup, aiming to stretch City’s defense and create spaces for Garnacho and Zirkzee, who excel in exploiting gaps between the lines.

For City, their 4-2-3-1 formation focuses on ball retention and intelligent movement. With Gundogan and Gonzalez playing just in front of the back four, their primary task will be to facilitate transitions and link up play efficiently with the attacking trio. Marmoush, Doku, and Silva’s pace and creativity can cause problems for United’s restructured defense, which may be vulnerable to quick counters.

As the matchday arrives, expectations run high from fans of both clubs. The atmosphere at Old Trafford is likely to be electric, with thousands gathering to witness not just a battle for local bragging rights but also to celebrate Kevin De Bruyne’s contribution to Manchester City. Fans will be eager to see whether United can exploit City’s defensive frailties or whether City will manage to maintain their dominance