Rashford and McTominay have impressed this season.

Some people felt that Marcus Rashford and Scott McTominay should have been cut from the Manchester United roster at the end of the previous season because they were no longer contributing.

The pair's laborious efforts yielded very little fruit due to the ineffectiveness of their campaigns. However, after receiving Erik ten Hag's nurturing attention for a period of three months, the pair has regrown in both confidence and stature.

As a consequence of this, it has been challenging to make the case that either player should be removed from the starting lineup. In addition, there are three compelling arguments in favor of playing both of them in the Manchester derby on Sunday.

Before sustaining his recent injury, Rashford scored three goals in four matches, including the game-winning goal against Liverpool and a pair of goals against Arsenal. Over the course of his career with United, McTominay has displayed the highest level of durability he has ever shown.

The Scotsman has developed into his own player while playing alongside Christian Eriksen, becoming the pivot for the Danish forward play that is similar to that of a magician. According to the standings, it would be unwise to throw a wrench into the momentum that both teams have gained in their most recent matches.

In the lead-up to a derby, there is an additional consideration that must be taken into account. Although Cristiano Ronaldo and Casemiro have won multiple times in their careers, academy graduates McTominay and Rashford are well aware of the significance that a victory over the club's noisy neighbors holds for the supporter base.

The fact that they have spent their entire lives as members of the club means that the outcome is important to them on a personal level. Both players were driven by their passion to perform at a higher level during the victory over Liverpool, and that trend should continue against Manchester City.

There is no doubt that Ronaldo, Casemiro, and the rest of the players on the team are aware of the importance of the match, but players who came through the youth system have always had that one percent of an advantage over their more experienced counterparts in games of this nature.

In the end, either strategy is suitable for Ten Hag's play against City. Counterattacking play was responsible for contributing to a number of goals scored in victories achieved against Liverpool and Arsenal.

The team coached by Pep Guardiola is famous for their ability to maintain possession for extended periods of time and wear down their opponents. United has already demonstrated that they are able to go long stretches without possessing the ball before beginning an offensive counterattack.

This season, all of Rashford's goals have come on breaks, and his speed could be lethal against players like Manuel Akanji and even Ruben Dias, particularly if Kyle Walker and Joao Cancelo are allowed to play high up the pitch. All of Rashford's goals have come on breaks.

If you include Jadon Sancho and Antony in the equation, Ten Hag may have a chance of finding success against the champions. When Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez are playing behind McTominay, his job will be to fill in the gap, which is something he has done successfully on multiple occasions this year.

McTominay, who stands at 6 feet and 4 inches and is three inches taller than Casemiro, will be able to use his height to his advantage during set plays against the towering Erling Haaland. Rashford and McTominay's play should be considered for selection on Sunday because their recent play has been respectable, their commitment to the club during this season is incontestable, and their playing style is defensible.