Four Manchester United players backed to lead upset vs Manchester City

Mikael Silvestre says Raphael Varane and three other players will be key in guiding Manchester United to an unexpected win over Manchester City in this Sunday’s derby.

The visitors are currently on a four-league-game winning run while City remain unbeaten this season. They are favourites to reclaim the title with Erling Haaland in impeccable form having already netted 14 times in nine games.

United have enjoyed the improved form of Marcus Rashford, who has scored three times in his last four games albeit his last outing was nearly a month ago due to fixture postponements and injury.

READ MORE: Rashford has chance to prove Roy Keane wrong vs Man City

With Anthony Martial also sidelined, it allowed Cristiano Ronaldo to start United’s last two matches, both in the Europa League. He opened his account for the season against Sheriff Tiraspol but Silvestre believes Rashford should begin the derby this weekend.

“I think right now, away from home against City, I would start Marcus and put Cristiano on later in the game,” he told bettingexpert. "Cristiano has been away for Portugal.

“Naturally I would go for Marcus to start the game especially as he’s been in very good form and has confidence. I would keep it that way.”

But it is four other players who Silvestre believes will be pivotal if United are to get a result at the Etihad. He explained: “Raphael Varane for his leadership at the back. The partnership with Lisandro Martinez will be important, and Christian Eriksen for sure.

“Away from home, you need to work for the team and recover the ball, protect the back four. Again as soon as you manage to recover, you need to find those players that can keep the ball and play forward. So, he’s [Eriksen] the man with Bruno