The Manchester Derby: Team News

Erik ten Hag has provided some details about his squad for Manchester United’s return to Premier League action on Sunday, in the derby with City at the Etihad Stadium.

The boss held his pre-match press conference at Carrington and was, naturally, quizzed on his selection options for the clash with Pep Guardiola’s unbeaten Blues.

Anthony Martial and his fellow striker Marcus Rashford have recently been sidelined with injury, while Harry Maguire was flagged as a doubt after his time away with England. Our on-loan goalkeeper Martin Dubravka was forced to withdraw from the Slovakia squad during the break, while defenders Brandon Williams and Axel Tuanzebe have been out all season.

Ten Hag confirmed Maguire is injured but Martial and Rashford are back in training, and could yet feature in Sunday’s 14:00 BST kick-off. There are, however, other doubts for the clash with our neighbours, following a number of players’ exertions with their national teams.

Manchester City Team News

Pep Guardiola has also addressed the media and the City boss confirmed John Stones will be absent after the England defender sustained a hamstring problem during Monday night’s 3-3 draw with Germany at Wembley in the UEFA Nations League game.

When asked how long Stones could be absent, Guardiola replied: “I don’t know. He will be back when he is ready.”

Another Blues defender, Aymeric Laporte, is believed to be closing in on a return after a lay-off due to a knee injury, while Kalvin Phillips is definitely sidelined after undergoing shoulder surgery, as he attempts to be fit for the winter World Cup.