Ten Hag explains derby day line-up
Erik ten Hag has explained the selection of his Manchester United side to face on City in the derby at Old Trafford.
The boss made nine changes to the XI on duty for the Carabao Cup quarter-final win over Charlton Athletic and has made some big calls.
Luke Shaw starts alongside Raphael Varane at the heart of the defence, with Tyrell Malacia and Aaron Wan-Bissaka the two full-backs. Anthony Martial has been declared fit enough to lead the line while Antony is on the bench, as fellow Brazilian Fred provides extra energy in the engine room.
Ten Hag's pre-match interview
Erik discusses Martial's fitness, Shaw at centre-back and more, with MUTV's Stewart Gardner...
On Martial, the boss told MUTV before kick-off: “He’s fit, so he starts. He’s on a good run, he needs the games to progress even more. This is a special game and he showed in the past he can really contribute to such a game. He has the experience.”
The manager also elaborated on why Shaw starts in the middle, with Martinez on the bench.
“The last couple of games, a lot of clean sheets," he added. "[Shaw and Varane played] really well together. Also take into account that Licha Martinez returned from the World Cup and didn’t have a lot of games; 90 minutes, he had Charlton, but really big games.
"It was four weeks ago at the World Cup. So, I think for 90 minutes, it’s a lot, but he can contribute, he is ready to come in. I think also, the tactical [side] fits really good with the physical with [Erling] Haaland, [Kevin] De Bruyne, to go full-back, full-back, Luke Shaw is perfect. He’s a good build-up player as well.”
Substitutes: Heaton, Lindelof, Maguire, Martinez, Mainoo, McTominay, Antony, Elanga, Garnacho.