Former Liverpool captain Jamie Redknapp has claimed that Manchester United's midfield will be in for a "tough" evening when they host Manchester City this evening.

Redknapp has said that City's pairing of Yaya Toure and Fernandinho will give the champions a difficult task of trying to contain Manuel Pellegrini's side at Old Trafford.

He told the Daily Mail: "When United lost 4-1 to City in September they were overwhelmed in midfield. They failed to control Yaya Toure and Fernandinho and could not live with Toure's power.

"They will want to outnumber City in the middle, as Chelsea did very well with Nemanja Matic and David Luiz playing deep.

"Michael Carrick and Marouane Fellaini could perform the same roles but with Toure in devastating form, it will be tough."

United are currently seventh in the Premier League, while the visitors attempt to reduce the deficit on leaders Chelsea to three points.

Written by
Paul Gorst