Michael Carrick to unleash returning AFCON star in first Manchester United XI in derby

Michael Carrick couldn’t have been given a tougher task in his first match back in charge of Manchester United.

The newly-appointed interim manager will pit his wits against Pep Guardiola for the first time in Saturday’s Manchester derby at Old Trafford – live on talkSPORT.

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Carrick has replaced former teammate Darren Fletcher at the Theatre of Dreams on a deal until the end of the season.

The ex-Middlesbrough boss edged out ex-teammate Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to land the job following Ruben Amorim’s shock sacking on January 5.

He has taken over a side that has failed to taste victory since a 1-0 home victory against Newcastle on Boxing Day.

Fletcher created unwanted history in his final game as caretaker manager in the FA Cup third round defeat to Brighton.

As a result of their 2-1 loss to the Seagulls, seventh-placed United have been dumped out at the first stage of both domestic cups for the first time since the 1981/82 season.

And with the club without European football this term, United will be playing just 40 games this campaign – the first time this has happened since 1915.

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But Carrick knows victory over City will paper over those cracks, with a win to potentially be the springboard towards securing at least a Europa League spot.

Saturday’s meeting with the Citizens will be Carrick’s first time leading out United since his brief three-game spell as the club’s caretaker in late 2021.

He succeeded Solskjaer, where he guided United to victories over Villarreal and Arsenal, along with a draw against Chelsea.

And with a near full squad at his disposal following the arrivals of Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo from Africa Cup of Nations duty, Carrick will be hoping for a strong reaction from his team.

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United fans are likely to see more free-flowing football under Carrick, whose Boro side ranked top for goals, shots, expected goals, successful passes and touches in the opposition box in the Championship, while they also boasted the second highest average possession (55.2 per cent).

Here talkSPORT.com takes a look at how United could face rivals City in his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation, which he used in 112 out of 124 Championship games while at Boro.

Senne Lammens will continue between the sticks having started the previous 15 top-flight encounters.

Slotting in at right-back will be Diogo Dalot, with Noussair Mazraoui still unavailable due to his involvement at AFCON with Morrocco.

On the opposite side of defence, Patrick Dorgu could edge out Luke Shaw with the latter missing out on the Brighton clash as United look to manage his fitness.

With Matthijs de Ligt still sidelined through injury, Leny Yoro could once again play alongside Lisandro Martinez in the heart of defence.

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This would see Harry Maguire and Ayden Heaven start from the bench once more.

Casemiro is likely to be recalled to the starting XI after being benched for the Brighton defeat.

The Brazilian has already equalled his best goalscoring Premier League season since his debut 2022/23 campaign, with the defensive midfielder on four goals from 19 outings.

He could partner Kobbie Mainoo in the middle of the pitch – fresh from the England international’s first start since August.

Mainoo is yet to start in the Premier League this season, but looks to be given more game time having been used sparingly by Amorim.

And featuring as United’s No.10 will once again be Bruno Fernandes, with the club captain enjoying another fine season on a personal level.

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With 13 Premier League goal involvements already [five goals, eight assists], he is once again been United’s best performing player.

Featuring on the left wing will likely be Matheus Cunha, who is still awaiting his first goal against Manchester City after five previous blanks.

But with three strikes in his last six top-flight fixtures, the 26-year-old goes into the match high on confidence.

And Mbeumo is poised for an instant recall to action on the opposite flank after missing six games in all competitions while away in Morocco.

Despite his absence, he remains United’s top scorer this season with seven goals, though he has found the back of the net just once for club and country since November 8.

Leading the line will be Benjamin Sesko, who is in the best form of his short United career so far with three goals in his last two games.