Manchester United have several players who may be returning to the matchday squad as Rúben Amorim prepares his side to face Manchester City on Sunday afternoon at Old Trafford.
Manchester United are gearing up to face Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City team as they look to continue good form ahead of what are a very tough set of fixtures for Rúben Amorim.
Following their good form prior to the international break, United fell to a 1-0 defeat against Nottingham Forest that has seen many fans get on the back of the forwards, who failed to convert despite the side having 20 efforts at goal on the evening.
With the Manchester Derby next up, Amorim will no doubt also be keeping one eye on the forthcoming Europa League quarter-final clash against Olympique Lyonnais in midweek next week.
Amorim will hope to have further players return to duty after Mason Mount and Harry Maguire were able to see minutes for the first time since coming back from injury.
United’s early injury news vs City
Although Luke Shaw was not available to face Forest, there is a chance that he may be able to be included when United welcome Guardiola’s men to Old Trafford.
With the English defender now in training, Amorim confirmed that the player is undergoing drills with the team and also stated that Kobbie Mainoo is “almost” ready to return but just missed out on the Forest squad.
Although it is not a certainty, both players may be involved against City if they are as close to returning to the squad as Amorim suggests.
Ayden Heaven is expected not to be a part of the squad on the weekend, but it’s thought that he will return to action later this month. Mason Mount and Harry Maguire were both involved against Forest and will likely keep their places in the squad to face City.
A big injury blow for City
As for Guardiola, his side were dealt a big blow when it was confirmed that Haaland will be out of action for the Manchester Derby following their FA Cup quarter-final win over Bournemouth last weekend, where he sustained an ankle injury.
“The doctors told me between five and seven weeks [out],” the Spanish manager said when asked how long Haaland is expected to be unavailable. “So hopefully for the end of season and FIFA Club World Cup he will be ready.”
Speaking further on who could replace Haaland, Guardiola said: “We will find a solution from the players that we have. They all have different skills and qualities. We will have another one [striker].
“We don’t have another player with his skills or his specific qualities. We know that. But we have to adapt. Since many years we play for different ways up front. It depends on the quality of the players. We are going to try to find a solution.”
It is likely that the newly signed Omar Marmoush will instead take the reigns as the club’s central striker. Since his January arrival, he has scored five goals in 11 appearances.
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