10 players set to Miss the Manchester derby as united and City face section headaches
Manchester City host Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon
Erik ten Hag and Pep Guardiola
Erik ten Hag and Pep Guardiola
The latest edition of the Manchester derby will take place this weekend at the Etihad Stadium.
Manchester City host Manchester United in a match of great importance for both sides. City are looking to maintain pressure on fellow title challengers Arsenal and Liverpool, meanwhile United will be fighting to ensure they remain in the hunt for a European finish.
The two clubs will be unable to call on a selection of players, with United’s injury list currently far worse in comparison to their noisy neighbours. There were concerns captain Bruno Fernandes could be sidelined for Sunday after being seen with a limp after Wednesday’s FA Cup win over Nottingham Forest, though Erik ten Hag has allayed fears the Portuguese midfielder will be absent. Raphael Varane is also understood to be in line to feature at the Etihad, having been a doubt going into the Forest tie.
One player the Red Devils will be without is Harry Maguire, who missed out on Wednesday and is not expected to be involved. Speaking on Thursday afternoon, Ten Hag said: “They [Varane and Fernandes] fought to be part [of it] and they came well out of the game. I think they will be available for Sunday as well. And for the rest, I don’t think players will return for Sunday, so we do it with the squad from yesterday.”
This means Rasmus Hojlund, who should return from his muscle issue in mid-March, Tyrell Malacia, Anthony Martial, Lisandro Martinez, Mason Mount, Luke Shaw and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are all unavailable.
City’s injury concerns are less severe, with only two players currently unavailable. Jack Grealish was forced off in the 38th minute of Wednesday’s FA Cup triumph at Luton Town and is highly unlikely to be declared fit for this weekend. The England international has seemingly suffered a repeat of the groin injury that has thwarted his 2023/24 campaign to date.
Discussing the midfielder’s condition after the Luton game, Guardiola said: “I didn’t speak to the doctor yet, but I think he complained about the groin, so maybe quite similar. He felt really, really good, but unfortunately, he was injured again at the beginning of the game. It has been a tough season for him.”
Centre-back Josko Gvardiol is the other doubt for the derby after missing the matchday squad for the fifth time in succession earlier this week. The Croatian defender has been dealing with a foot injury of late and it is unclear whether the United fixture will come too soon for the 22-year-old. Discussing the condition of Gvardiol earlier this week, Guardiola remarked: “He’s good too. I don’t know [if he will play against Luton]. He’s training without much pain. Still, he didn’t train with us, but he’s on the verge to come back. Training this afternoon, but I think everybody’s fine.”
The City boss is expected to provide a further update on Grealish and Gvardiol when holding his pre-match press conference on Friday.
Leave a Reply