Man City v Man Utd: Erik ten Hag gives injury update on Harry Maguire & Bruno Fernandes

Erik ten Hag has confirmed that Manchester United aren’t expecting any injured players to return in time for Sunday’s Manchester derby.

It means the Red Devils will be without Harry Maguire for the clash against Manchester City, leaving the club with just five fit senior defenders. Raphael Varane and Bruno Fernandes were doubts ahead of the game against Nottingham Forest, but were passed fit and played 90 minutes at the City Ground.

“They fought to be part and they came well out of the game so I think they will be available for Sunday as well,” said Ten Hag when asked for a fitness update ahead of the derby. “I don’t think players will return so we do it with the squad from yesterday.”

As well as Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, Mason Mount, Rasmus Hojlund and Anthony Martial missed the FA Cup win over Forest, a game that saw Sofyan Amrabat deployed at left-back and Marcus Rashford selected through the middle.

It’s likely Ten Hag will select a similar team on Sunday at the Etihad, against a City side who have won 16 of the last 18. However, when asked about the ominous prospect of facing Pep Guardiola’s treble winners, Ten Hag pointed to his own side’s impressive run of results, with six wins in the last seven.

“Our form, we are also in a good run and the spirit is very good, we are united, we have the togetherness to make a good gameplan. We have done it before against City, lately against Liverpool. The players are looking forward to it, I can smell it when I am around here."

Asked if he feels this could be a defining weekend in the season, Ten Hag replied: “No, because there are many more games to play. We are in the FA Cup in a great game [against Liverpool]. After City come many more games and we know we have to catch up but there are also a lot more games to catch up and to get in the right position.”