The big news coming out of Manchester before today’s derby is that Paul Scholes is back, and on Manchester United’s bench. The other news that could become fodder for transfer rumours is that he isn’t joined by Dimitar Berbatov; despite scoring 6 goals in his last 4 games, the Bulgarian is left out of the squad, replaced in the starting XI by Danny Welbeck. United make one other change, with Chris Smalling replacing Park Ji-Sung, meaning Antonio Valencia plays right midfield.
Manchester City Vs. Manchester United, FA Cup 2012: Lineups
Manchester City name Owen Hargreaves onto their bench. Without the Toure brothers and the suspended Gareth Barry, James Milner and Nigel De Jong start in midfield, indicating that Hargreaves isn’t fully fit (and he still hasn’t played 90 minutes for City). Joe Hart is rested and is only on the bench, while Mario Balotelli and Edin Dzeko miss out through injuries.
Manchester City (4-2-3-1): Pantimilion; Kolarov, Lescott, Kompany, Richards; De Jong, Milner; Nasri, Silva, Johnson; Aguero
Subs: Hart, Clichy, Zabaletta, Savic, Suarez, Razek, Hargreaves
Manchester United (4-4-2): Lindegaard; Evra, Ferdinand, Jones, Smalling; Nani, Giggs, Carrick, Valencia; Welbeck, Rooney
Subs: De Gea, Evans, Rafael, Anderson, Park, Scholes, Hernandez
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