Marcus Rashford will replace Benjamin Sesko in the Manchester United starting lineup when they host Manchester City at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Manchester United will be eager to return to winning ways in the Premier League and keep pace with the table-toppers when they welcome Manchester City to Old Trafford on Sunday evening. Michael Carrick has no new issues to worry about ahead of his side’s latest fixture.

Carrick has been sweating over Luke Shaw’s fitness after the veteran English full-back missed the UEFA Champions League clash with Sabah due to his physical load. However, it remains unclear if Shaw will be ready to return for the Manchester Derby.

Carlos Baleba (ankle), Manuel Ugarte (knee), and Amad Diallo (ankle) remain in the treatment room, while Matthijs de Ligt is continuing his rehabilitation from a long-term lower-back problem. Meanwhile, during his pre-match press conference, Carrick discussed Shaw’s fitness. He also provided an update on Marcus Rashford, who did not feature against Sabah.

The Manchester United head coach said, “A little bit of that [precautionary with Rashford], yeah, and trying to share the load a little bit, to a point, as well. We’ve got good options, so we’re trying to keep everyone fresh, but with a point where Ben [Sesko] can get good minutes tonight [against Sabah] and get him up to speed.”

“There’s always a bit of a challenge in getting that right, but it was nice to keep Marcus fresh and ready for the weekend. We’ll have to see [with Shaw]. We looked after him a little bit going into tonight. He wasn’t quite ready for it, 100 per cent, so we didn’t risk it. But we’ll see how he is over the next couple of days or so.”

Senne Lammens is an automatic pick between the sticks, with Manchester United lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him against Manchester City on Sunday. The backline will feature Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, and Luke Shaw. Patrick Dorgu will be waiting in the wings if Shaw is not fit enough to start.

As for the midfield unit, Youri Tielemans will retain his partnership with Kobbie Mainoo in the double pivot. Bruno Fernandes will reprise the no. 10 role, with Marcus Rashford and Bryan Mbeumo being the two wide attackers. Finally, Matheus Cunha will lead the line for the away side, with Benjamin Sesko being a backup option on the bench.

Predicted Manchester United XI: Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw; Tielemans, Mainoo; Mbeumo, Bruno Fernandes, Rashford; Cunha