Paul Merson has called for Ralf Rangnick to “leave out” Manchester United duo Harry Maguire and Cristiano Ronaldo for the derby on Sunday afternoon.
Both players have been criticised at times this season. Man Utd paid around £80m to sign Maguire from Leicester City in 2019.
This campaign has been a poor one on a personal level for the defender as he has underperformed compared to prior seasons.
Gossip: Newcastle to sell seven and battle Man Utd for striker
It was reported earlier this week that Man Utd stars have ‘aired their grievances’ at Rangnick’s decision to stick with Maguire.
Ronaldo meanwhile returned to the Red Devils last summer from Juventus. He started the season brilliantly but he has only scored one goal in his last eight Premier League games.
Man Utd were beaten 2-0 by Man City went the rivals met earlier this season at Old Trafford.
The return fixture takes place on Sunday and Merson does not think Maguire and Ronaldo should start:
“For me, I don’t think he [Maguire] plays in this game,” Merson told Sky Sports (via The Metro)
“I would play [Marcus] Rashford and [Anthony] Elanga in this game in my opinion.
“If they’ve got any chance of winning Man United they have to play on the counter-attack with plenty of pace, skill and energy.
“I would leave Ronaldo out of this game.”
Elsewhere, Gary Neville has named Portuguese midfielder Bruno Fernandes as one player who could get in Man City’s side:
“I can be really honest about it, I’ll go through them.
“[Ruben] Dias, [Aymeric] Laporte, [Joao] Cancelo and [Kyle] Walker — they’re better than all of United’s back four. Fernandinho and Rodri, they’re better than United’s holding midfield players. Bernardo Silva, [Ilkay] Gundogan…
“Bruno is the only one that I think, over the last 12 to 18 months, could… but [Kevin] De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, [Riyad] Mahrez, [Phil] Foden and [Raheem] Sterling.
“I can’t put Bruno in ahead of Bernardo Silva at the moment, or De Bruyne. It’s a sad indictment really.”
The post Merson boldly calls for Rangnick to ‘leave out’ Man Utd duo for derby appeared first on Football365.