Manchester United's fine run of form in the Premier League will be tested to the max this weekend when they make the short trip to face champions and arch-rivals Manchester City.
Erik ten Hag's side are on a run of four straight wins in the competition but face arguably the most difficult game of the whole season next, when they travel to the Etihad.
The occasion proved too much for United on their last visit back in March. That day United, under the stewardship of interim boss Ralf Rangnick, were easily swatted aside 4-1. But there is an element of the unknown about one area of United's side this time around — the new-look defence.
Read more: Ten Hag faces decision on whether to unleash secret weapon for derby
The backline from that defeat almost seven months ago is set to be completely different this time around.
That day United's back four was: Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire and Alex Telles. Telles is currently out on loan at Sevilla, while Wan-Bissaka has seen a mere five minutes of game time all season. As for Maguire and Shaw, they have had to make do largely with appearances off the bench and appearances for England in the recent Nations League games.
Presuming there are no injuries, Sunday should see Ten Hag select his tried and trusted quartet of Diogo Dalot, Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez and Tyrell Malacia.
The fact that none of those players have lined up against City in the Premier League means they represent an unknown quantity for Pep Guardiola when lining up his attack.
Dalot, despite being in his fourth year at the club, has never played against Guardiola's side having spent previous seasons either out on loan or chiefly as a back-up option.
As for Martinez and Malacia, they of course only arrived this summer but have never competed against City during their times with Ajax and Feyenoord respectively. And as for Varane, he has played against City in the Champions League previously while he was at Real Madrid but last season he missed both Manchester derbies through injury and Covid.
His partnership with Martinez has been one of the success stories of Ten Hag's short reign so far and seeing how they combine to try and quell the threat of Haaland — another newcomer to the derby — will be fascinating.
A few weeks ago not many neutrals or pundits would have given United a chance in this contest. But their recent form has seen confidence levels rise. The continuity of a settled defence has served them well in recent weeks. Ten Hag will be hoping that trend continues for a little longer yet.
MORE TO READ:
