ETH: Evans & Lindelof given the nod over Varane for derby for 'TACTICAL reasons'
Erik ten Hag has revealed Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof have been handed starts for Manchester United against Manchester City for 'tactical reasons'.
Both central defenders were surprise recalls for the hosts at Old Trafford, with Raphael Varane and Sergio Reguilon instead named among the substitutes.
Evans is likely to line up alongside Harry Maguire, with Lindelof again at left back.
Quizzed on his decision, Ten Hag insisted there were no concerns over fitness.
'It's tactical,' he told MUTV. 'It's not the argument to make their selection [their experience], it's tactical and that's the answer.'
Casemiro missed out on United's squad entirely, with Sofyan Amrabat, Scott McTominay and Christian Eriksen once again given the nod by Ten Hag.
Bruno Fernandes has been handed a start over winger Antony, who is dropped.
On Eriksen, Ten Hag added: 'He's often shown from the very start that he can be very good, for example the Arsenal game.
'You always think that he can be decisive, his distribution and calmness on the ball, he gives options and that's what you need against a good side like City who press.'
Promising youngster Kobbie Mainoo returned to United's bench, with Ten Hag saying: 'Still a way to go, but he's ready for a part of the game.
'That's good news because he's a midfielder player and we can use his capabilities, his physicality, his taking of the ball and he's brave.
'All of his abilities and skills, he can contribute to the team.'
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