A Manchester City attacker will have a vital role to play at Old Trafford | OneFootball

There are a host of players who have the potential to decide today’s Manchester derby. From a Manchester City perspective, one of those is Omar Marmoush. The Egyptian international has made a bright start to life at the Etihad. He has already scored 6 goals in 12 appearances in all competitions for Pep Guardiola’s side. But looking at today’s match the movement and attacking threat of Marmoush could be key to unlocking the United defence.

With Erling Haaland out of today’s match due to an ankle injury, the assumption is that Omar Marmoush will start today’s Manchester derby. The threat offered by Marmoush is entirely different to the one Haaland brings. There is an intelligence to the runs Marmoush makes in the final third and his finishing at times is reminiscent to that of Sergio Aguero. He has scored in his past two matches for Manchester City.

Marmoush scored the winner after replacing the injured Erling Haaland in City’s 2-1 win over Bournemouth. It was the quick thinking and quick feet of Marmoush that caught out Kepa in the Bournemouth goal on that occasion. Against Leicester City Marmoush profited from a Mads Hermansen error to give City a 2-nil lead at the Etihad. That finish showed that Marmoush has a striker instinct in front of goal. Those abilities will be crucial to today’s match.

If Omar Marmoush can unsettle the United defence with his intelligent movement it could help Manchester City open up today’s derby. His movement could open up pockets of space for Phil Foden, Jeremy Doku, Savinho, Jack Grealish or Kevin De Bruyne to thrive. Plus, if the chances do come for Marmoush, he is capable of putting them away. That makes him a player who could be a match-winner today.

Omar Marmoush believes he is dangerous wherever he plays.

In an interview with mancity.com Omar Marmoush explained that he feels he is a threat in whatever position he plays. He further explained that he is willing to play wherever he is asked by Pep Guardiola to help his team. Speaking on his role he explained: “I feel comfortable playing in all [the attacking] positions. For my national team I play on the wing, here I play as a number nine, in the pocket as a number eight or as a winger. It always depends on what the coach needs, I feel like I am dangerous in each position. I always try to do my best and listen to what the coach demands from me.”

The versatility and intelligence that Omar Marmoush possesses could be key for Manchester City in the 196th Manchester derby today. Marmoush does loom as a potential match-winner at Old Trafford today. If he can unsettle the United defence it may provide City with an opportunity to break open today’s match. But if Marmoush can put his chances away if they come he could also decide today’s match. Marmoush is capable of doing that and if he does it could further add to an impressive start to his Manchester City career.