Mazraoui has been been one of Man United's more solid performers this season, putting in reliable performances whilst maintaining a steady fouls average. His versatility is valuable to a coach like Amorim who likes certain profiles of players for certain positions, the defender has featured all across the backline this term.

Mazraoui has committed 34 fouls across his 30 Premier League appearances this season (1.32 per 90). This record is a result of Mazraoui finding himself in various areas of the pitch but also having to contest plenty of 1v1 duels. He’s expected to line up as one of the three centre backs here. Whichever side he is on, he will face a tough task against one of City’s exciting wingers. This test will be unrelenting, with Pep Guardiola also having the option to call on reinforcements from the bench. 

Mazraoui played as a wingback in the game at the Etihad earlier in the season, committing two fouls from his 14 duels and making more tackles than any other player on the pitch (3). United committed 14 fouls in that game and will certainly have to get through plenty of work off the ball here again.

Marmoush has committed seven fouls across his eight Premier League appearances for Man City, he’s also committed a foul in each of his last five games.

He started up front for the first time in Man City’s 2-0 win over Leicester last time out. He scored and committed two fouls on that day, Marmoush has made a habit of fouling over recent weeks and odds of 1.80 for that to continue look big.

Withour Haaland, Marmoush could struggle at times on his own against the back three of United, the variety of opponents he’ll be in duels against here increases his chances of committing a foul on Sunday.

Ederson has been far more active in the City net this season, mainly due to how unstable the Champions have been at the back. He’s averaging 2.40 saves per 90 in the Premier League which is a big jump from the 1.84 saves per 90 he was averaging last season.

United are averaging 4.6 shots on target per game in the Premier League this season, ranking them 10th in the league in this metric, which at the very least is above their league position. They had three in the game at the Etihad, drawing one save from Ederson, but should have more success at home here.

The City keeper has been forced into making 2+ saves in 23 of their 30 Premier League games this season (76%) with this factor being particularly prevalent in their away games with 2+ saves landing in 13 of their 15 trips this season (86%) - the only exceptions coming against Wolves and Crystal Palace.

Man United committed 14 fouls in the meeting between these sides at the Etihad earlier in the season. They are averaging 10.7 fouls committed per game in the Premier League, so they effectively need to play to their average for this selection to win.

The derby element will aid us for this selection, derby games usually produce an increase in the foul average of teams, as we saw in the first clash between these sides. United are likely to have to get through a lot of work off the ball here; they aren’t very good at maintaining control in games, which creates a chaotic atmosphere in Old Trafford, usually partnered with frustration, which is a promising mixture for fouls.

Man United have committed 10+ fouls in nine of their 15 games at Old Trafford this season and the derby element should be able to push the Red Devils to match, if not exceed, their seasonal average.

Fernandes has been United’s best player this season. He has a monopoly over corners, free kicks and penalties, which aids him in registering a goal contribution in this derby as he did in United’s 2-1 win over their rivals at the Etihad earlier in the season. 

Fernandes has registered 17 goal contributions across his 29 Premier League appearances this season, unsurprisingly topping the United squad ranks when it comes to goal contributions, with Amad Diallo the next in the list with 12 goal contributions.

Fernandes can continue to act as a talisman for his team with his ability to produce in the final third something that United are missing in their front line. He’s the only convincing attacking player for United at the moment and can add to the goal he scored in the derby win earlier in the season.

The midfield battle here is intriguing, the damage in terms of goals will likely come from the wide positions with neither side particularly strong at fullback or wingback at the moment but the middle of the park is likely where the scrap in this derby takes place.

Ugarte has impressed at times, but like many of the more capable players in this United side, he is limited by the options around him and often left isolated in midfield, which adds to his tendency to overstep the mark with his challenges.

Ugarte has received eight yellow cards across his 17 starts for Manchester United this season. No player in the United squad has been shown more cautions than the central midfielder, who is also averaging 2.09 fouls committed per 90 in the Premier League, a record which explains his card numbers this season.

Both sides have fallen below their expected standard this season, but Man City are still the more capable side, especially in the final third. United look borderline dysfunctional when the ball crosses the halfway line, with several issues holding them back from their chance creation to missing that clinical touch in front of goal.

City are averaging 5.8 shots on target per game in the Premier League whilst United are averaging 4.6. Both sides had three shots on target in the meeting between the sides at the Etihad but City should be able to pull clear of United in this department here when focusing on the battle between the City frontline and United back three.

United will be without a few key players in the back there, including Martinez, who was superb defensively and also created United’s winner in the meeting at the Etihad earlier this season. These absences will encourage City, who can create multiple 3v3 scenarios with Marmoush, Doku and Savinho and get plenty of shots away.

Only Brentford (41) have picked up fewer cautions than Man City (49) in the Premier League this season. This suggests that City aren’t the most reckless side and their foul average also backs this up (7.5 per game - lowest in the Premier League).

This makes sense as City tend to dominate the ball and don’t actually have to perform that many defensive actions, unless they are dispossessed and are caught on the break.

Meanwhile, only five teams have collected more cards than Man United in the Premier League this season, Ruben Amorim’s side have racked up 65 cautions (2.16 per game), which would suggest that they will outdo City when it comes to cards in this game. Odds of 1.80 for them to win the card count here looks generous.