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Topics: Manchester United, Ruben Amorim, Manchester City, Fan Reactions
Ryan Smart
Topics: Manchester United, Ruben Amorim, Manchester City, Fan Reactions
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has dropped two players from his squad for the Manchester derby in a decision that has shocked fans.
United head into the fixture at the Etihad Stadium in 13th place in the Premier League table, having collected just 19 points from their 15 games.
Amorim's side suffered a 3-2 defeat to Nottingham Forest on Saturday, although did bounce back with a 2-1 victory in the Europa League over Czech side Viktoria Plzen.
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They face a City side who are also out of form, with Pep Guardiola's side having won just one of their last 10 matches.
Amorim has stuck with his usual 3-4-3 system for the clash, but has made two surprising decisions over his matchday squad.
While the starting XI will not come as a shock to most United fans - as it was 'leaked' by Manchester Evening News journalist Samuel Luckhurst on Saturday night - the identity of the substitutes will doubtless be.
Both Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford have not only missed out on the starting XI, but been left out of the matchday squad entirely.
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Amorim confirmed in his pre-match press conference that he had a full squad, excluding Luke Shaw, to choose from for the fixture.
Rashford started Thursday's win over Plzen but was booked shortly before half-time and substituted on 56 minutes. His replacement, Rasmus Hojlund, scored twice to win the game for United.
Garnacho, meanwhile, was named on the bench but did make a substitute appearance for the final 10 minutes of the contest.
Some United fans have been critical of his performances under Amorim thus far, and he was taken off after an hour against Forest despite the Red Devils being behind at Old Trafford at the time.
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The Manchester derby kicks off at the Etihad Stadium at 4:30pm.