Man United vs Man City – Premier League LIVE: Jonny Evans and Harry Maguire start in defence for the hosts as Jack Grealish is recalled for the Manchester derby

Follow Mail Sport’s live blog for all the latest team news, scores and updates from the Manchester Derby from Old Trafford as Manchester United host Manchester City in the Premier League.

Erik ten Hag reveals Evans starting ahead of Varane is tactical

Erik ten Hag has explained the decision to start Jonny Evans ahead of Raphael Varane in defence is purely tactical and not because of injury.

Serial Champions League and World Cup winner, Varane, has struggled with injuries but possibly would have been expecting to start today.

Instead Ten Hag explained to Sky Sports pre-match that the team selection choice was due to ‘tactics’.

Micah Richards jokingly defends himself for his role in Wayne Rooney's derby wondergoal

Here’s a piece of nostalgia for you ahead of kick-off with ex-City defender Micah Richards hilariously reliving the greatest goal the Manchester derby has ever seen.

The full back, now a pundit for Sky Sports and CBS Sports, was left helpless when Rooney launched into the air and hooked an acrobatic effort home at Old Trafford.

Footage of a goal that quickly cemented itself into the annals of Premier League history showed Vincent Kompany, City’s captain, marking Rooney in the box.

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Jonny Evans starts his first Manchester derby in 12 YEARS

The Northern Irishman must be pinching himself after being given the nod by Erik ten Hag to start today’s Manchester derby.

Evans returned to the club on a short-term deal for pre-season before signing a contract with United for the season. He’s now starting against Manchester City for the first time since 2011.

His last appearance came in United’s 6-1 home hammering against City on a day when Evans was sent off and Mario Ballotelli famously produced his ‘why always me?’ shirt celebration.

United supporters will be hoping history doesn’t repeat itself today.

Manchester remembers Sir Bobby Charlton

Tributes have continued to pour in for Sir Bobby Charlton since his passing eight days ago and both teams have remembered the England and United legend in the build-up to today’s Premier League clash.

City manager Pep Guardiola signed a personal message in United’s book of condolence and flowers have continued to be laid outside Old Trafford by both sets of supporters.

A United scarf has been laid on Charlton’s seat inside the stadium ahead of kick-off today as Manchester continues to pay tribute to the English football icon.

Haaland and Alvarez will fancy their chances today

The world’s deadliest striker will be supported by a World Cup winning strike partner in the form of Julian Alvarez and it could be a long day for United’s mismatched defence that boasts only one specialist full-back.

Erling Haaland scored a hattrick in this game at the Etihad last season but was stifled by Lisandro Martinez and Varane at Old Trafford. Today he will fancy his chances against the unusual centre-back partnership fo Maguire and Evans.

If United produce a clean-sheet today then it will be nothing short of a miracle.

United could be set for old school formation

The hosts have named a team that many of us perhaps didn’t think would be the one to start against City. Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans will start at centre-back, while four midfielders have also been picked by Ten Hag in the form of Sofyan Amrabat, Scott McTominay, Christian Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes.

Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund are tasked with leading the line and that means we are looking at a throwback to the old school 4-4-2 formation.

It’s not often used in modern day football with more innovative formations emerging and United usually playing a 4-2-3-1 system. But could this be the way to beat City today? Time will tell

MANCHESTER CITY TEAM NEWS

Pep Guardilola makes changes from City’s midweek Champions League victory over Young Boys as Jack Grealish is hauled back into the starting side, while summer signing Josko Gvardiol gets his first taste of the Manchester derby.

CITY XI: Ederson, Walker, Stones, Dias, Gvardiol, Rodrigo, Bernardo, Foden, Grealish, Alvarez, Haaland

MANCHESTER UNITED TEAM NEWS

Erik ten Hag names his starting team for the derby and the big omission is there is no place for Casemiro in the matchday squad. The Brazilian had been involved in training but was waiting on a late fitness call to be made.

Meanwhile, Antony, Raphael Varane and Mason Mount are other absentees as they start on the bench.

MAN UNITED XI: Onana, Lindelof, Amrabat, Maguire. Fernandes, Rashford, Hojlund, Eriksen, Dalot, Evans, McTominay

Who needs victory more today?

When we’ve approached this game in previous seasons, Manchester City have usually been in a position of Premier League dominance and United challenging for the top four.

However, today, City are currently five points adrift of Tottenham at the top of the table and the Red Devils in eight place of the league standings and desperately needing to avoid defeat.

United have won their previous three games in all competitions and a win against their cross-city rivals would be viewed as a turning point for Erik ten Hag’s side after recent difficulties.

Meanwhile, City would be slammed if they slip-up again after an unconvincing couple of weeks for the reigning English champions.

Untied would love to win, but City need it more.

Players arriving at Old Trafford

Both sets of players are in the building and in the dressing rooms as we edge closer towards getting the first Manchester derby of the season underway.

United’s stars were first to make their way into Old Trafford with Marcus Rashford in bright spirits as he waved to the crowd and Portuguese full back Diogo Dalot taking time to sign autographs.

Wonder who will be smiling most at full-time later today?

Good afternoon and welcome to Old Trafford

Good afternoon and thank you for joining us for today’s mouthwatering Manchester derby. Old Trafford is the destination of this season’s first meeting between United and City, with Erik ten Hag desperately hoping the hosts can replicate their victory in the same fixture last season.

Kick off is at 3.30pm and team news will be with us in about 20 minutes time. Before then we have plenty to cover.

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