Pep Guardiola hands Manchester United massive boost ahead of Premier League clash vs Manchester City

Pep Guardiola has handed Manchester United a large boost after confirming that John Stones will miss out on the Manchester Derby on Saturday.

The Manchester City defender has been the standout in a poorer-than-usual defence at the Etihad Stadium this season. He joins Ruben Dias, who is sidelined with a hamstring injury, on the treatment table.

“He is not ready,” the City boss told reporters ahead of the game. “I think everyone else is fit.”

With both Joao Cancelo and Kyle Walker being out of form, and the inexperience of a potential derby debut for 18-year-old Rico Lewis, Marcus Rashford will be licking his lips at the fact that United’s opposition will be without their favoured right-sided centre-back.

After losing the reverse fixture 6-3 away from home in October, United supporters will be hoping to get revenge on their neighbours, however, for Erik ten Hag, he is not focusing on the previous disappointing result.

“It is not about that game anymore. It is the past, it is about the future,” he said.

“I have seen the past weeks many games of them [City]. But we have to look at ourselves, we have to play our best game.

“That is what I demand tomorrow from my players. Togetherness with full belief, not naive.”

United, however, will not have prospective loan signing Wout Weghorst available for the fixture and Anthony Martial has also been confirmed as a doubt, with Ten Hag saying he will assess the French forward tomorrow and make a call.

This could open up an opportunity for a derby debut for Alejandro Garnacjo, who has impressed in recent weeks, with Marcus Rashford moving centrally.