The young Manchester City defence looks ready to take on their next test against Manchester United | OneFootball

One of the real bright spots for Manchester City in their past three matches has been the impressive play of Max Alleyne and Abdukodir Khusanov in the heart of City’s defence. The two young centre-backs have struck up an impressive defensive partnership. Their play both as individuals and as a pairing has caught the eye. They were both superb in Manchester City’s 2-nil win over Newcastle United in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final at St. James’ Park.

The tests keep coming for Alleyne and Khusanov and another awaits them in the 198th Manchester derby. But you do sense that both players are ready to perform against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Max Alleyne and Abdukodir Khusanov deserve to start against Manchester United.

Abdukodir Khusanov and Max Alleyne haven’t put a foot wrong in their three appearances together in the heart of Manchester City’s defense. Both players have impressed as a centre-back pairing and as individuals. Their playing styles complement each other, and that is a strength of their play. Given that they haven’t put a foot wrong together, Alleyne and Khusanov deserve to start this Saturday’s crucial Premier League fixture against Manchester United.

Khusanov and Alleyne were both superb in Manchester City’s win over Newcastle. They handled the pressure of a Carabao Cup semi-final in a hostile environment with aplomb, and facing City’s arch-rivals at Old Trafford shouldn’t faze them. Both players are playing with confidence, and they seem to be a lock to start in Saturday’s match. Playing in a Manchester derby in a hostile environment brings its own pressure, but you do sense that Alleyne and Khusanov will be up for the challenge if they do start on Saturday.

Manchester City could play a young defence at Old Trafford.

If Khusanov and Alleyne do start against Manchester United in the heart of City’s defence, the potential for Pep Guardiola to pick a young defense is very real. Matheus Nunes seems to be a certain starter at right-back. At left-back, Nico O’Reilly could slot back into the role he has played so well this season. If it is Nunes, Alleyne, Khusanov, and O’Reilly who start at Old Trafford, that is a young defence for City to utilize. With Gianluigi Donnarumma likely returning in goal against United, and potentially Bernardo Silva and Rodri in midfield, there is experience around the young City defence to guide them through. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Nunes, Alleyne, Khusanov and O’Reilly be the back four that Pep Guardiola prefers against Manchester United given how well all four players have performed recently.

Max Alleyne and Abdukodir Khusanov deserve to start in defence for Manchester City in this weekend’s derby against Manchester United. They look ready to embrace the challenge in front of them, and they have already proven that they won’t be daunted by playing in a hostile environment, as they showed at St. James’ Park.