The pressure is being ramped up on Ralf Rangnick after Manchester United's humiliating derby defeat to Man City at the weekend. The 4-1 loss at the Etihad Stadium served as another glaring reminder of just how far behind United are to their rivals, and how much work needs to be done before they can challenge for the Premier League again.
United also fell out of the top four at the weekend after Arsenal's win over Watford, while fellow challengers Tottenham made their own case with a 5-0 thrashing of Everton on Monday night. Next up for United is a home match with Spurs this weekend, and Rangnick knows he will need to get his tactics spot on for another defining moment in their season.
Team selection will be crucial once again, but just who should be in United's strongest XI at the moment based on current form? The Manchester Evening News take a look.
READ MORE: Manchester United selections causing unrest among players with teammate dubbed a 'teacher's pet'
Goalkeeper - De Gea
An easy choice in goal. David de Gea has probably been United's best player throughout the season and deserves to remain No. 1 for the rest of the campaign.
Dean Henderson has every right to feel sorry for himself given this was supposed to be his breakthrough season at Old Trafford, but he can't have any complaints about being behind the Spaniard on current form.
Defence - Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Shaw
This one will be the most controversial. Let's start with full-backs though. Aaron Wan-Bissaka was probably the worst player on the pitch at the weekend, and Diogo Dalot deserves to start ahead of him. Luke Shaw has been out-of-form on the left but is still well ahead of Alex Telles in terms of ability.
When fit, Raphael Varane is by far the best centre-back at the club, though his fitness really has been an issue this season. There is much debate regarding who should partner him in the heart of defence, and it is sure to polarise supporters.
Victor Lindelof was dreadful at the weekend, but Harry Maguire has been poor all season. However, the club captain gets the nod because his record alongside Varane has been really good. United haven't lost once this season when the duo have both been on the pitch throughout.
Midfield - Matic, Fred, Fernandes
United's best hope of finding form might well rely on switching back to a 4-2-3-1 rather than the current 4-3-3 and doing so could see Nemanja Matic recalled in the deepest role. The Serbian is still the only specialist in that position at the club, though he struggles to play more than once a week, so he is not a long-term solution.
Fred has been one of the positives since Rangnick took over and should be starting no matter which formation is selected, while Bruno Fernandes still sets the standard in midfield.
Attack - Sancho, Pogba, Ronaldo.
Jadon Sancho has been revitalised under the German coach and impressed again at the weekend, even if his second-half performance was forgettable. He is arguably the first name on the team sheet right now.
Paul Pogba hasn't done much from midfield as of late but looks his best on the left wing, where he has the freedom to drift inside and orchestrate attacks at his leisure.
Cristiano Ronaldo is still the greatest goalscorer in the history of men's football, even if his recent form has been utterly woeful. There aren't any other viable alternatives to him through the middle.
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