Michael Carrick has some tough decisions to make for Manchester United before the visit of Manchester City.
Michael Carrick has a simple decision to make ahead of the derby(Image: OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
How do you stop Erling Haaland? A question Michael Carrick probably did not anticipate answering when he sat down for his Christmas meal but now it will be at the forefront of his mind heading into Saturday’s derby. The answer for most Premier League clubs over the past three-and-a-half years has been simple: you can’t.
Manchester United have found Manchester City’s talisman to be a thorn in their side but the Reds are not the only ones left cursing his name. He has a solid goalscoring record against most clubs in the division and he has shown he only needs a sniff of a chance to score.
Not really what United fans nor Carrick will be wanting to read, especially when this derby is so crucial for all those of a red persuasion.
The Haaland question will be prominent in Carrick’s thinking as he prepares his team for the derby. The Norwegian is by no means City’s only threat, especially now Antoine Semenyo has joined them, but if United can find a way to stop him, they have a good shot at a positive result.
If they are to do it, they will need to rely on their centre-backs having great games. In Darren Fletcher’s two matches in charge, there was one constant in the centre-back partnership and that was Lisandro Martinez.
The Argentine has benefitted from the return of the back four and will likely start for Carrick in the derby. But who partners him is a different conversation entirely.
Ayden Heaven started against Burnley and he had a difficult night before his substitution on the hour mark. He was replaced on Sunday by Leny Yoro but the Frenchman is in a really tough spot form-wise.
United cannot afford to pick a defender low on confidence and form against City, especially with Haaland the man they will come up against. This is not the game to try and help Yoro get back to his best.
In an ideal world, Matthijs de Ligt would be fit to face City, but he looks set to be out again so that leaves just one simple decision for Carrick to make: recall Harry Maguire to the starting XI.
He has recently spent time in the treatment room at Carrington but is back to full fitness now and a return against City makes the most sense. In a physical battle, United need a player like Maguire up against Haaland.
Both Heaven and Yoro have huge potential but this game, with everything that is at stake, calls for experienced heads. Maguire has his doubters but he must start on Saturday.