Man City v Man Utd injury news - one major doubt & nine out of Manchester derby

Manchester City are expected to be without Josko Gvardiol ahead of Sunday’s Manchester derby.

The Croatian defender has missed the last four games with an ankle injury but is closing in on a return to the team. Pep Guardiola described his progress as ‘good’ ahead of the midweek clash against Luton Town and said Gvardiol could potentially return to the team, although he ultimately wasn’t involved in the FA Cup fifth-round win.

City picked up a second injury at Kenilworth Road on Tuesday night with Jack Grealish replaced in the later stages of the first half. He cut a dejected figure as he trudged off the pitch and then sat on the bench with his hood up.

Guardiola confirmed after the game that the former Aston Villa man appeared to have suffered a recurrence of a recent groin injury, so he is expected to miss Sunday’s derby.

As for Manchester United, Erik ten Hag revealed in Thursday's press conference that his squad for this weekend should be the same as the one he selected in the FA Cup win over Nottingham Forest the day prior. That means no Harry Maguire, who missed the trip to the City Ground with a knock.

He adds to an ever-expanding list of unavailable defenders, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia out. The lack of options at the back means United won’t have a fit left-back available at the Etihad on Sunday, and Sofyan Amrabat operated in that role during the week.

With Rasmus Hojlund and Anthony Martial injured, United also don’t have any fit centre forwards to call upon and Marcus Rashford will most likely play in that role again. The only other absentee for the Red Devils is Mason Mount, with the ex-Chelsea man not playing since November.

Doubt: Gvardiol (City). Out: Grealish (City); Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw, Malacia, Mount, Hojlund, Martial.