David May suggests Elanga starts the derby through the middle

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Manchester United did not lay a glove on Manchester City during the November meeting between the two sides at Old Trafford.

The game ended 2-0 but it could have been more and that underlines the challenge facing Ralf Rangnick at the Etihad Stadium tomorrow.

Rangnick will have different ideas to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in terms of how to go about winning the game and some former United players have also had their say in a debate for club media.

Treble winning defender David May feels the pace of Anthony Elanga is needed to unsettle the City backline through the middle, even if it means that Cristiano Ronaldo is benched.

“I think Anthony has been exceptional. The chance with his first touch of the ball against Atletico, scoring there, was fantastic. He got the goal against Leeds – he could have scored earlier on at Elland Road, but he didn’t panic,” he said.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if he played through the middle and I’d like to see him through the middle, whether it’s alongside Ronny (Cristiano Ronaldo) or instead of Ronny to give him a rest. 

“I watch how they [Manchester City] play, with such a high line, and I think Elanga is the perfect player to play against them because he doesn’t have to get beyond the shoulders.

“I think he deserves it. I think he has enthusiasm, he presses high, he loves to score goals and we need somebody right now who can put it in the onion bag.”

It would be an absolutely huge call from Rangnick to drop Ronaldo for the derby and we actually predicted him to make it here.

United have had counter-attacking success at the Etihad Stadium before and Ronaldo does not really fit that template.

Ronaldo’s record in 2022 has been way short of his usual standards but he does tend to thrive on big occasions and he remains a ruthless finisher.

We have Elanga and Jadon Sancho starting on the wings, with Bruno Fernandes as a false nine.

Michael Carrick dropped Ronaldo for Chelsea away during his time as caretaker and although it created a lot of headlines, it helped earn United a point.