Rashford starts the derby, United chase Bernal

Derby day at Old Trafford, Rashford starts over Sesko

Manchester City are at Old Trafford on Sunday, 17:30 CEST, for the 199th Manchester derby in the Premier League (1). Michael Carrick has gone with Marcus Rashford in the XI instead of Benjamin Sesko. Carrick said keeping Rashford fresh was the plan: "Fajnie było utrzymać Marcusa w świeżości i gotowości na weekend" (4). United sit 13th on 4 points from three league games, with a 4–0 Champions League win over Sabah FK on Thursday behind them. Wednesday's trip to Fulham follows on Sunday, 20 September.

Right now watch the team sheet. Injuries and fitness doubts in defence and midfield mean the shape matters as much as the names.

United are tracking Marc Bernal, but €500m is a wall

United are one of the clubs keeping an eye on Barcelona midfielder Marc Bernal (2) (6). He is 19. Chelsea are monitoring him too, with Enzo Fernández's situation in mind (6).

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The part that kills any deal: Bernal's release clause is €500m (2). He is a player to watch, not one to sign.

A former assistant has a go at INEOS over the striker they did not buy

A former United assistant boss says INEOS made a mistake by not signing a £51m striker this summer (3).

Andrey Santos got a warning in the same breath: he will be fourth choice in the fight for a midfield place (3).

Left-back is still the gap, and Bournemouth want £60m

United have identified Bournemouth left-back Adrien Truffert as a long-term answer to the Luke Shaw question (5). The price is around £60m (5).

Truffert is rated the more realistic option than Newcastle's Lewis Hall (5). Left-back is the position Carrick still has to fix.

Fan reactions

The talk among supporters is about the wide attackers and the numbers behind them. One long-running stats dive into left winger and left attacking midfielder goal and assist output since 1997/98 is getting the clicks, with fans picking apart who actually produced and who just looked busy.

See the thread

Sources

  • 1. sports.yahoo.com — Manchester City vs Manchester United: Latest City team news and predicted City starting eleven
  • 2. utdreport.co.uk — €500m release clause revealed as Man United circle La Liga youngster
  • 3. teamtalk.com — Man Utd failure to sign ‘proven’ £51m Sesko upgrade panned as Andrey Santos transfer questions are raised
  • 4. sport1.pl — Manchester United zmienia atak na derby. Rashford zastąpi Sesko w składzie
  • 5. caughtoffside.com — Not Hall: Man United quoted £60m for left-back eyed to replace Luke Shaw
  • 6. caughtoffside.com — Chelsea target 19-year-old to replace Enzo Fernandez but face Man United competition
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