Wayne Rooney has predicted that Pep Guardiola will recall Riyad Mahrez for Sunday's Manchester derby in a plot to "expose" Tyrell Malacia.
The Manchester United legend reckons that Malacia, who's made a strong start to life at Old Trafford, is fallible on his weaker right foot. By starting Mahrez on the right wing for rivals City, Guardiola could hand the Dutch left-back a tough afternoon to mark his first derby - and that's exactly what Rooney is expecting.
Previewing the mouthwatering clash in his column for the Times, the ex-United striker - who recently returned to management and is now in charge of MLS side DC United - wrote: "I think Pep Guardiola will start with [Mahrez]. With United having a left back, Tyrell Malacia, who is left-footed, I can see Pep using Mahrez on the right to try to come inside and expose Malacia on his right foot."
Mahrez has been a somewhat peripheral figure this season, despite being one of City's standout players last term. The Algerian winger, 31, watched most of the Citizens' 3-0 win at Wolves last time out from the bench, with Phil Foden getting the nod. He's only started two Premier League matches following his 11-goal haul in 2021-22 when Guardiola's side romped to a fourth title in five years.
Malacia, meanwhile, is navigating his first campaign in English football after joining United from Feyenoord during the summer transfer window. The £13million signing quickly displaced Luke Shaw for the left-back berth and has started all six of the Red Devils' fixtures since their humiliating 4-0 defeat to Brentford in August.
While it's clear to see that 23-year-old Malacia still has a long way to go in his career, Rooney also thinks he can play a crucial part in stopping City from cruising to victory at the Etihad, thanks to manager Erik ten Hag's tactics. "I'm sure Ten Hag will be telling his full-backs and wide players to stop crosses," the Red Devils legend, who scored 11 goals in Manchester derby fixtures, explained. "I think that is where the match will be won and lost – if United can play [Erling] Haaland out of the game, they'll have a big chance."
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Haaland is, of course, the true danger man for City, having scored a sensational 14 goals in his first 10 appearances since leaving Borussia Dortmund in June. However, Ten Hag is keen to avoid being fixated on the Norwegian striker.
"I like his attitude. How he is on the pitch," the United boss began in his pre-match press conference. "He's direct, his life is about goals – he goes direct toward the opponent. He can also create but [while] I respect him, we are not playing against Haaland, we are playing against Man City. But it is not about Man City. I respect the opponent but it is about Man United."
