Michael Carrick told to drop £74m Man United star in bold Manchester derby team selection

Michael Carrick has been thrust into the deep end with the Manchester derby as the first game of his caretaker reign of Man United.

Carrick has taken interim charge of the Red Devils until the end of the season following Ruben Amorim’s sacking.

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The ex-United midfielder was picked over Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to steer the ship until a permanent hire is made, which is likely to not be until the summer.

Games do not get much bigger for United than a clash with Man City at Old Trafford on Saturday at 12:30pm – with commentary live on talkSPORT.

The 44-year-old will have some immediate decisions to make, including a shift to four at the back.

One of the criticisms, and frustrations, for United fans and the club’s hierarchy was Amorim’s unwillingness to move away from a three at the back formation.

So talkSPORT’s Inside Devils YouTube show has taken a look at just how Carrick could line-up for the derby.

Harry Maguire returns

Leny Yoro has started 12 games for Man United this season and was picked from the off in the FA Cup defeat to Brighton.

However, fears have been raised about him going up against City powerhouse Erling Haaland.

talkSPORT’s Angelina Kelly said: “Maguire back in because I was thinking, Leny Yoro going up against Man City’s attack… I think he’d be terrified going up against someone like Haaland.

“I really like Leny Yoro, but the guy has been struggling recently.”

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AFCON players back

Thanks to early Africa Cup of Nations exits for Amad and Bryan Mbeumo, the pair are making timely returns for Carrick.

Mbeumo has been a particular shining light for United this season, scoring six Premier League goals before he headed off to international duty.

Then it raises the question about how to put Matheus Cunha and Bruno Fernandes into the same team.

Flex told Inside Devils: “Amad and Mbeumo are back. If we want to play 4-3-3, it means one of them has to play on the left. They probably don’t want to be there, but they’re quick, they’re direct, and can make it happen.

“Or do you not try to shoehorn everything in? Matheus Cunha hasn’t been great in the last couple of games. Do you put him on the bench and go with Amad and Mbeumo, and then Bruno Fernandes in the 10, and then Kobbie and Casemiro? Or does Kobbie go on the bench?”

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False 9?

talkSPORT’s chief football correspondent, and United fan, Alex Crook floated the idea of playing Cunha up top and relegating Benjamin Sesko to the bench.

The £74m striker has been hit and miss since his big money move from RB Leipzig in the summer.

Crook told Inside Devils: “I take on board what you said about Cunha, but I think he’s shown he is someone who relishes the big occasion. 

“His performance at Anfield was probably the highlight of his United career so far, so I think he’ll play. 

“I’m not sure, even though he scored three goals in his last two games, that this is a game for Sesko.

“I think this might be one, maybe, to try and go with a false number nine.”

Listen to Inside Devils on the talkSPORT YouTube Channel