The trio have been selected by Andrée Jeglertz to face our cross-city rivals at 13:30 (UK), fresh from helping Japan to Asian Cup glory seven days ago.
Yamashita, Fujino and Hasegawa all started the 1-0 final success over Australia in Sydney - meanwhile - Mary Fowler featured for the Matildas in the showpiece, and she’s named among the substitutes to face Marc Skinner’s team.
The Japanese trio’s inclusions are the three changes made by Jeglertz from the team who started our 5-2 win over Spurs last time out with Khiara Keating, Laura Blindkilde Brown and Kerolin dropping out.
CITY TEAM
Yamashita’s goal will be protected by a back three of Jade Rose, Rebecca Knaak and captain Alex Greenwood.
Our engine room enforcers at Old Trafford will be Hasegawa and Sam Coffey, meanwhile, Kerstin Casparij and Lauren Hemp will be on the right and left wings.
City’s line will be led by Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw who is joined in the front three by Fujino and Vivianne Miedema.
XI: Yamashita, Rose, Knaak, Greenwood (C), Casparij, Coffey, Hasegawa, Hemp, Fujino, Miedema, Shaw.
Substitutes: Keating, Coombs, Fowler, Kerolin, Ouahabi, Blindkilde Brown, Lohmann, Beney, Prior.
LEADING FROM THE BACK
Knaak has a stellar record against Manchester United – losing just one of her four appearances against our cross-city rivals.
Since joining the Club, she has played four derbies in all competitions – winning two, drawing one and losing one.
The Germany international has also found the net in each of her three Barclays Women’s Super League matches against Saturday’s hosts with her latest the opener in our 3-0 win in November’s reverse fixture at the Etihad Stadium.
FIRST TASTE FOR COFFEY
Today’s clash between City and United will present a first taste of a Manchester derby for Coffey.
The United States of America international joined the Blues in January and has seamlessly transitioned to life in England, impressing across her seven outings for Jeglertz’s team in all competitions.
Although a new experience for the combative midfielder, her experience at the highest level will certainly put her in good stead for the rigours of today’s rivalry.
TOP OF THE TABLE
Today’s Manchester derby at Old Trafford sees the division’s top two collide with City eight points clear of Skinner’s side at the table’s summit.
With four top-flight matches remaining this term, a win for the Blues would mathematically prevent our rivals from finishing above Jeglertz’s team by the season’s end.
