MEN journo tips surprise Red to start Manchester derby with fan-favourite poised to miss out

Manchester United are preparing for their first game under interim manager Michael Carrick: the Manchester derby.Indeed, the former Red isn’t being eased into the role by any means.After hosting Manchester City in Saturday’s early kick-off slot, United then travel down to the Emirates on Sunday, January 25, to lock horns with league leaders Arsenal.Carrick’s team news for Saturday’s derby (Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images)Carrick will address the media later this afternoon to provide an update on his squad options, although fans are aware that he’s already been boosted by the returns of both Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo, who returned from the African Cup of Nations this week following the Ivory Coast and Cameroon’s exit.Sharing his anticipated starting XI for the high-stakes clash, Manchester Evening News journalist Steven Railston believes Mbeumo will instantly be restored to the line-up, yet reckons Amad could miss out this time around. My team for the Manchester derby. Think it’s the right time to recall Harry Maguire to the XI #mufc pic.twitter.com/qZ7JVjkdTx — Steven Railston (@StevenRailston) January 16, 2026Harry Maguire tipped to make first start in two months(Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)In addition, he thinks ‘it’s the right time to recall Harry Maguire’, with the senior Red tipped to partner Lisandro Martinez at centre-back.Maguire hasn’t started a league game since United’s draw to Tottenham Hotspur on November 8, when he was withdrawn in the 72nd minute with a thigh injury.He did make the bench at Turf Moor, but was not utilised by Darren Fletcher in the four-goal affair.Instead, Fletcher granted him his first game back in action in the form of an 11-minute cameo against Brighton and Hove Albion last weekend.The 32-year-old has now missed a total of 10 games this campaign, and has just entered the final five months of his contract, so you could understand why his concerning injury record might be deterring United from offering Maguire a new, short-term deal.