Man Utd vs Man City injury & team news - one doubt and six ruled out of Manchester derby

Manchester United and Manchester City meet this Saturday in the second Manchester derby of the season.

It was Pep Guardiola’s side who won the last meeting in October, with City easily dispatching United by a scoreline of 6-3. But a lot has changed for both sides since then, with the Red Devils, rather than the Premier League champions, heading into the encounter in top form.

United have won their last seven, conceded just once in the previous six and have lost only one of their last 18 matches in all competitions. Erik ten Hag’s side beat Charlton Athletic 3-0 on Tuesday night to continue their excellent form, with several players rested for that encounter.

Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial were given the night off, with Ten Hag subsequently confirming the latter is a doubt for the game. “Anthony Martial trained this morning so we have to wait how we recovers from that and if he is available,” the Dutchman said on Friday. “That will be decided tomorrow.”

While Martial is a doubt, the United manager confirmed Diogo Dalot will definitely miss out, while Wout Weghorst has not been registered in time for the game. Speaking in Friday’s pre-match press conference, Ten Hag also revealed Donny van de Beek will not play again this season due to the knee injury he picked up against Bournemouth.

Jadon Sancho is another who will miss out as he continues to work away from the main group in an effort to regain his fitness, while Axel Tuanzebe is not available.

As for City, unlike United, they failed to progress to the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup in midweek and suffered a shock loss to Southampton. It continues their poor recent form, with the Blues failing to impress against Everton on New Year’s Eve and in the recent league win over Chelsea.

John Stones was a surprise absentee when the teamsheets were announced at St Mary’s, with the centre-back missing out as he was deemed to not be fully fit. Guardiola revealed on Friday that he will not be available for derby as he is ‘not ready’. Ruben Dias is the only other City player ruled out as he continues to recuperate from a hamstring injury that has prevented him playing in any of the club’s post-World Cup games.

Guardiola did give a small hint at who could start on Saturday, by resting Ederson, Rico Lewis, Bernardo Silva and Riyad Mahrez against Southampton.

Doubts: Martial (United)

Ruled out: Dalot, Tuanzebe, Van de Beek, Sancho (United); Dias, Stones (City)