Manchester United will lock horns with Manchester City for the 189th Manchester derby on Saturday, with the Reds looking to take bragging rights and close the current four-point gap between the sides in the Premier League table.
United are currently on an eight-match winning streak in all competitions, and Erik ten Hag will no doubt be hoping his players can extend that run to nine against our local rivals.
City, meanwhile, suffered their first defeat since the post-World Cup restart when they were knocked out of the Carabao Cup, losing 2-0 away to Southampton.
WHAT’S THE TEAM NEWS?
Bruno Fernandes will be available for United again, following his suspension for the Carabao Cup quarter-final win over Charlton. Donny van de Beek is ruled out through injury.
Diogo Dalot was forced to leave the action during the first half of that clash against Charlton, but Erik said post-match that his withdrawal was a precautionary measure. Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial were absent from the squad for that win over the Addicks, but Ten Hag confirmed the duo were rested and will be back for the derby.
The boss could give further team news updates in his pre-match press conference on Friday, which will be shown on MUTV, ManUtd.com and the United App.
Pep Guardiola is currently without centre-back Ruben Dias due to a hamstring injury he picked up at the World Cup. Other than that, the Blues make the short trip to Old Trafford with a full-strength squad.
Key players Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland were initially rested as subs for the midweek Carabao Cup tie at Southampton but both came on in the second half as City strived in vain to avoid a shock defeat.
Be the first to comment