“Start him if you want to stop Haaland” –According to Manchester United legend Gary Neville, Ten Hag should prioritize starting Manchester United’s “immaculate” player over Lindelof in order to stop Erling Haaland in his tracks.

The Manchester derby, a fixture that Manchester United fans approach with apprehension rather than anticipation, is scheduled for this afternoon at the Etihad Stadium.

Pep Guardiola has outperformed Erik ten Hag since the Dutch manager’s arrival in England, with Manchester City emerging victorious in three out of the four encounters since the beginning of last season.

Fortunately, the Red Devils enter the game in their most successful spell of the entire campaign, having already secured victories in seven matches in 2024 across various competitions.

However, the challenge arises from the absence of several key players, including Rasmus Hojlund, Luke Shaw, and Lisandro Martinez. Nevertheless, if United hope to achieve any success, it may require parting ways with Victor Lindelof.

Reasons to Bench Victor Lindelof

Throughout this season, the 29-year-old has served as a versatile utility player and a reliable member of the squad, filling in when regular starters are sidelined.

Lindelof’s involvement in the Premier League has been notable, appearing in 16 matches and starting 11 of them. Interestingly, six of these starts saw him playing in an unconventional left-back position.

However, during Wednesday’s FA Cup victory against Nottingham Forest, Ten Hag experimented with Sofyan Amrabat in that role. It appears Amrabat will retain that position against Manchester City.

This implies that if Lindelof were to be in the starting lineup, he would be positioned as a central defender tasked with facing Erling Haaland, renowned for his athleticism, strength, and prolific scoring ability.

Lindelof’s style of defending doesn’t lean heavily on physicality, as evidenced by his average of 1.6 duels won per game this season.

Moreover, he has recently been exposed when engaging closely with opponents, as indicated by his two yellow cards in the last three games.

Against Manchester City, it’s crucial for Manchester United to exhibit assertiveness and dominance on the field, given the caliber of players like Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne.

Consequently, Ten Hag might consider opting for a more seasoned central defender to partner Raphael Varane for today’s match.

The acquisition of 36-year-old Jonny Evans raised eyebrows and provoked skepticism among Manchester United fans at the beginning of the season.

However, Evans has proven to be indispensable on various occasions throughout the campaign. He has not only filled in admirably during absences but has also consistently delivered high-quality performances.

Liam Canning, a creator, even lauded one of Evans’ displays last month as “immaculate.”

The Northern Irish stalwart has featured in ten league matches this season, often starting games and occasionally being called upon from the bench to help secure victories.

Wearing the number 35, he has formed a formidable partnership with Varane, as demonstrated by their solid performance against Liverpool in the 0-0 draw, showcasing their effectiveness against top-tier opponents.

As indicated in the table above, Evans and his French counterpart formed an impenetrable defensive barrier at Anfield, despite Liverpool’s numerous attempts with 34 shots on goal, 12 corner kicks, and 68% possession. Their wealth of experience and remarkable ability to defend their box effectively prevented Liverpool from scoring.

Their frequent high clearances demonstrate their exceptional anticipation and ability to handle crosses into the box, whether aerial or ground-based.

This skill will be crucial against Haaland, known for his dynamic movement and prowess in the penalty area.

Furthermore, the center-back duo won seven out of eight duels between them, highlighting their dominance and capability to handle the physicality of Haaland much more effectively compared to players like Lindelof, who has only won four of his last ten duels.

In summary, it’s evident that for United to achieve success this afternoon, the defensive partnership of Evans and Varane will be pivotal.