How Manchester United should line up vs Man City in Premier League fixture

Manchester United will be looking to make a strong statement of intent when they travel to face noisy neighbours Man City in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon. Kick-off from the Etihad Stadium is at 4:30pm UK time.

Ralf Rangnick's side are unbeaten in eight Premier League games, the longest current run without defeat in the competition, though they failed to convince in a goalless draw against Watford last weekend.

United are looking to win four consecutive away games in all competitions against Man City for the first time since a run of four between November 1993 and November 2000. In terms of early team news, Scott McTominay returned to training earlier in the week and should be fit to make the matchday squad at the very least, while Edinson Cavani is also in contention to feature.

Read more: Ralf Rangnick gives United team news for Manchester derby vs Man City

Here is how MEN writers think United should line up, with these filed before the squad was confirmed:

Samuel Luckhurst

Whatever United's strongest team is, they can pick it this weekend. A back three would be defeatist, despite Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's success with it in derbies, as United have the quality to harm City whilst playing proactively.

It seems inevitable Aaron Wan-Bissaka will be recalled to duel with Raheem Sterling again, even though his sloppiness heavily contributed to City's superiority at Old Trafford in November. At left-back, it's much of a muchness but it's Luke Shaw's go. Harry Maguire rose to the occasion at Leeds and United have to hope he does so again.

A base of Scott McTominay and Fred behind an attacking quartet of Paul Pogba, Bruno Fernandes, Jadon Sancho and Cristiano Ronaldo would be logical. There is too much individualism in