Gary Neville has named his "best XI" for Manchester United ahead of Sunday's Premier League derby against Manchester City at Old Trafford, and included Marcus Rashford, a forward he says the club had been "banking on selling" this summer.
United host City at 4.30pm, with manager Michael Carrick looking to get one over his neighbours again having masterminded a 2-0 win over Pep Guardiola's side in January this year.
Asked to select his strongest United side for the contest, Neville said: "Senne Lammens, Diogo Dalot, Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, Youri Tielemans and Kobbie Mainoo, and then the front four of Marcus Rashford, Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Bruno Fernandes. To me, that is Manchester United's best eleven."
Neville made the comments on Big Game Preview, sponsored by Sky Bet.
Neville, a former United and England defender who won multiple Premier League titles and the Champions League during his playing career at Old Trafford, is now one of the sport's leading television pundits.
Transfer plans that fell through
Neville explained that Rashford's inclusion came despite United having tried to move him on before the summer transfer window closed. "Manchester United banked on sales that never materialised in the transfer market. It is a big point on the selling side, because they wouldn't have expected Marcus Rashford to be back, and Manuel Ugarte got injured," he said.
He added: "They would have expected Joshua Zirkzee to leave for maybe 10, 15 or 20 million pounds, so they were banking on bringing in that 50, 60 million [pounds], and they didn't bring any of that money in."
Baleba decision to come
Neville also flagged a selection dilemma facing Carrick once new £70million signing Carlos Baleba returns to full fitness. "The only thing I can see happening eventually is that we'll have to drop one of that front four and play three in midfield," he said.
"Maybe Youri Tielemans, Carlos Baleba and Kobbie Mainoo, adding an extra midfield player. That means sometimes Bruno has to go to the side, which isn't ideal because I think he's better in that number ten spot."
United's defensive concerns
Neville said United's bigger problem was defensive solidity. "But how do we, without changing shape, become more solid so we don't concede every single game? Because if we carry on conceding like this, we won't be in the Champions League. We have to stop conceding goals," he said.
City, now managed by Enzo Maresca, are unbeaten after three Premier League matches and sit top of the table alongside reigning champions Arsenal. United have had a bumpier start, dropping points against newly-promoted Hull City and against Everton.
