Scott McTominay returns to Manchester United training ahead of Manchester City clash

Scott McTominay has returned to Manchester United training as they begin their preparations for Sunday’s Premier League match with Manchester City.

The Red Devils head to the Etihad in relatively decent form and are unbeaten in their last eight league games, including last weekend’s 0-0 draw with Watford.

While the scoreline was a disappointing one for the Red Devils, the performance against Roy Hodgson’s men was encouraging as they created 22 shots and had 68% possession.

McTominay wasn’t involved in that fixture but has been a near constant in Ralf Rangnick’s team since he took over, and has missed just four of the 17 games since the German was appointed on an interim basis in December.

But illness meant he didn’t feature against the Hornets last weekend and ruled him out of the Champions League last-16 first-leg tie in Madrid.

Speaking ahead of the encounter with Atletico Madrid, Rangnick said: “He’s ill unfortunately. I spoke with him this afternoon and he’s still not feeling well. We had a little bit of hope that he might be available.”

The German also confirmed last Friday McTominay would not be fit to face Watford at Old Trafford the following day.

But his return to training on Wednesday will be a huge boost to the Red Devils, and means he’s likely to be fit to start in Sunday’s derby.

The No.39 is one of just three defensive options in midfield along with Fred and Nemanja Matic, and United will need plenty of determination and aggression in the middle of the park if they’re to come away with three points at the weekend.

McTominay has played in seven previous derbies and has been on the losing side on just two occasions. The Scotland international also scored a famous late strike from around 40 yards in what proved to be United’s final Premier League match before the top flight was suspended due to the outbreak of Covid-19 in 2020.