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Man City vs Man United team news: Anthony Martial fit to start derby while Pep Guardiola makes one change

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer welcomes back the French striker from injury while Luke Shaw is reinstated to the starting line-up, while Pep Guardiola swaps John Stones back into the side

Jack de Menezes
Saturday 07 December 2019 17:28 GMT
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Anthony Martial has proven his fitness to start the Manchester derby, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer making two changes to his line-up to take on a City side that welcomes back John Stones in defence.

Martial missed the 2-1 midweek victory over Tottenham after suffering a knock last weekend, but returns to the starting line-up to join an attack that also features the in-form Marcus Rashford, Jesse Lingard and Daniel James.

The other change to Solskjaer’s side sees Luke Shaw reinstated at left-back in favour of Ashley Young, who drops to the substitutes’ bench.

City boss Guardiola makes one change to the side that thrashed Burnley 4-1 on Tuesday, with Stones returning to the starting line-up at the expense of Nicolas Otamendi, who joins the likes of Riyad Mahrez, Benjamin Mendy and Phil Foden on the bench.

City go into the derby clinging on to Premier League leaders Liverpool in the title race, with the Reds set to go 14 points clear of Pep Guardiola’s side ahead of kick-off at the Etihad Stadium.

The reigning champion must beat their rivals just to pull level with second-placed Leicester City, but Saturday afternoon will see the title picture put to one side as the Manchester derby bragging rights are put on the line.

United suffered defeat in both derbies last season, losing at the Etihad 3-1 before suffering a 2-0 home defeat, though their last victory away from home in this clash remains fresh in the memory courtesy of the 3-2 victory in April last year.

Teams

Manchester City: Ederson, Walker, Stones, Fernandinho, Angelino, Rodrigo, D Silva, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Sterling, G Jesus.

Subs: Bravo, Gundogan, Mendy, Mahrez, Cancelo, Otamendi, Foden.

Manchester United: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw; McTominay, Fred; James, Lingard, Rasford; Martial.

Suns: S Romero, Tuanzebe, Williams, Young, Andreas, Mata, Greenwood.

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