Man Utd have six guaranteed starters against Man City as Ruben Amorim ponders changes

It's been a rollercoaster of a month at Manchester United. The high of new arrivals has faded fast, replaced by stuttering displays that have Ruben Amorim already gasping for air - and fighting for his job. Now comes the ultimate litmus test: a derby with Manchester City. Victory could jolt United back to life, but defeat would only tighten the chains dragging them down.

Amorim has been busy reshaping the squad in his own image, tinkering with selection in search of cohesion. But the pieces haven't clicked into place. His first XI still feels like a work in progress, with only half a dozen players truly secure in their roles - the rest caught in a carousel of change. With Sunday's trip to the Etihad Stadium looming, Express Sport takes a position-by-position look at United's line-up - separating the nailed-on starters from the places still up for grabs.

Goalkeeper: (up for grabs)

With Andre Onana closing in on a loan move to Trabzonspor, the No. 1 shirt at United is there for the taking. Summer signing Senne Lammens will be looking to make it his own, but he'll have to beat off competition from Altay Bayndr, who has featured in all three of United's Premier League matches thus far. Amorim hasn't shown his hand yet, and the derby could be the stage where one of them seizes the gloves for good.

Right centre-back: Leny Yoro

There's no ambiguity here. At just 19, Leny Yoro has already shown composure beyond his years, slotting into the backline with a maturity United badly need. His place is one of the few certainties in Amorim's plans, and while he's yet to properly justify his £52million price tag, he's given the coach little reason to drop him.

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Central centre-back: Matthijs de Ligt

Matthijs de Ligt is the anchor around which the club's defence revolves. His leadership and aerial dominance make him undroppable, and he will be central to United's hopes of keeping City at bay.

Left centre-back: Luke Shaw

Injury-permitting, Shaw is Amorim's go-to option on the left of the back three. His blend of defensive awareness and ball-carrying ability gives balance to the unit, though fitness remains a lingering concern. Though a natural full-back, the England international has performed well centrally and seems secure from any tactical reshuffle.

Right wing back: (up for grabs)

This is arguably the most unsettled role in Amorim's system - and, frustratingly for United, one of the most important. Amad Diallo offers flair and energy going forward, but lacks the defensive reliability that alternatives Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui provide.

Given the varying demands placed on wing-backs, rotation between the three is to be expected. But with a tough test against City to come, Dalot seems the likeliest choice for the weekend.

Right centre-midfield: Bruno Fernandes

Bruno Fernandes is United's captain and remains the creative heartbeat of the side. Even in a stuttering United team, his influence is non-negotiable, driving tempo and chance creation. If United are to shock City, much will rest on his shoulders.

That said, there have been calls to move him further forward to allow others like Kobbie Mainoo, Manuel Ugarte and possibly even Mason Mount to start in midfield. But for the time being, Fernandes is going nowhere.

Left centre midfield: Casemiro

Like Fernandes, Casemiro appears to have nailed down a starting spot in Amorim's midfield - and with good reason. The veteran Brazilian still provides bite and nous in the middle of the park.

Though no longer at his peak, Casemiro's reading of the game and leadership remain vital, making him another guaranteed starter. Mainoo and Ugarte will continue to challenge him for minutes, yet the Fernandes-Casemiro partnership stands as one of the few constants in Amorim's setup for now.

Left wing-back: (up for grabs)

This season, Amorim has alternated between Dalot and Patrick Dorgu on the left. As it is on the right, the left wing back role is pivotal to his system, demanding consistency and versatility going both forward and back.

Dorgu offers the advantage of being a natural left-footer - and his energy and attacking intent are vital tools. But Dalot brings a wealth of experience that the youngster cannot yet match. In terms of Sunday, it's a tough call between the pair.

Right forward: Bryan Mbeumo

Despite missing the decisive penalty in United's harrowing EFL Cup exit at the hands of Grimsby Town last month, Bryan Mbeumo has made a positive start to his Old Trafford career. The former Brentford forward has brought energy, directness, and a willingness to press from the front to a forward line that was starved of confidence and fluidity last season.

He's quickly become an important cog in United's attacking machine and looks certain to start. Diallo is also an option here, but Mbeumo's strong start in Manchester means the position is his to lose.

Left forward: (up for grabs)

Matheus Cunha and Mount could both be sidelined for the City clash, as Amorim faces a dilemma. With natural left-siders Alejandro Garnacho, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho no longer at the club, his options in that area are limited.

Amad is one possibility, while Joshua Zirkzee - who has experience operating off the last line - could also be used. Alternatively, Fernandes could be shifted there, with Mainoo or Ugarte stepping into his deeper midfield role.

Striker: (up for grabs)

Benjamin Sesko's £73m price tag might imply automatic selection, but a slow start at United has prevented him from cementing a starting spot. His movement and finishing suit the role, whereas his understudy, Zirkzee, lacks the attributes of a natural No. 9.

Still, four appearances without a goal and Amorim having started Cunha in all three Premier League games so far show that nothing is certain. With Cunha's availability in doubt, Sesko is likely to start - but Zirkzee remains a contender.