Peter Schmeichel says it’s ‘surprising’ that Scott McTominay has only been named on the bench for Manchester United’s clash with Manchester City at Old Trafford.
McTominay, who returned from a knee injury last month, started United’s previous three games against Club Brugge, Everton and Derby County but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has opted for a midfield trio of Nemanja Matic, Fred and Bruno Fernandes for Sunday’s much-anticipated Manchester derby.
In all, Solskjaer has made seven changes to the side that beat Derby to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals in midweek, with Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan-Bissaka both passing late fitness tests to be available.
On McTominay being named on the substitutes bench, ex-United goalkeeper Schmeichel told beIN SPORTS: ‘It’s a bit surprising that he isn’t playing. There are rumours that he’s picked up a little knock but, yeah, I’m a little surprised he’s not playing.
‘The lineup seems to be a tiny bit defensive but then Ole must be thinking about a certain way to play this Manchester City side.
‘We can’t forget, they came here in the Carabao Cup and absolutely annihilated Manchester United – it was a good lesson for the players and I think what they’ve done since that defeat has been very good. They even went back to the Etihad and won the return leg.
‘They won also at the Etihad in the Premier League so I think Ole must be thinking about that game here but we’ll just have to wait and see.
‘Daniel James is back which is good. I like him and think he’s done really well. He looked like someone who needed a bit of a break. He played literally every game before Christmas but he’s back in today which is good.’
Solskjaer has reverted to a back-three after playing a back-four against Derby and the Norwegian is confident in the players he’s selected for the match.
‘We play this set up before – Bruno is new so obviously – but we had a few decent performances with those personnel,’ the United head coach told Sky Sports.
Asked if United will have to play like an away team against City, Solskjaer replied: ‘No, you can’t do that at home.
‘You’ve got to try and get after them. We have to try to press them because if you give them easy possession they’re the best team. They can outplay you.
‘We have to try and get after them and press to try to take the rhythm and press out of their game and try to dominate ourselves.’
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