The Manchester derby is shaping up to be a tense affair with several key players missing for both Manchester City and Manchester United. City faces a more significant injury crisis, with multiple influential players sidelined. Meanwhile, United’s issues mainly concern Luke Shaw’s recovery and Jonny Evans’ fitness.
DETAILS:
The first Manchester derby of the season is upon us, with Manchester City set to host Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium this Sunday at 4:30 PM. The game is vital for both teams as they look to bounce back from disappointing recent results in the Premier League.
City comes into the match following a frustrating 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace, a match that saw Rico Lewis handed a red card in the second half. The reigning champions have struggled this season, especially in midfield and defense, and will be missing several key players for the derby.
Rodri remains a long-term absentee after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury, which has left City without their star defensive midfielder. Furthermore, the team will be without Nathan Ake, John Stones, and Manuel Akanji due to injury, further limiting Pep Guardiola’s defensive options. To add to the challenges, Lewis’ red card means he will also miss the match due to suspension.
Meanwhile, United is only confirmed to be missing one player for Sunday’s derby. Left-back Luke Shaw, who had been recovering from injury, has suffered a setback, ruling him out of the match.
However, there is also uncertainty surrounding the fitness of central defender Jonny Evans. The 36-year-old has missed the last four games for United due to injury, but he did return to training ahead of the Europa League clash against Viktoria Plzen.
Despite this, Evans was not included in the travelling squad for that game, leaving United boss Ruben Amorim with a key decision to make regarding whether to include him for the derby.
QUOTES:
“Both teams will be missing key players for the derby, but City have the greater number of absentees, which could affect their chances,” a source close to Manchester City revealed.
“Jonny Evans’ availability remains uncertain, and Ruben Amorim will have to weigh up the risks of bringing him back too soon for such an important match,” an insider at Manchester United noted.
CITATIONS:
The Guardian and Sky Sports have both reported on the player availability ahead of the Manchester derby, confirming the injury concerns at both clubs.
KEEP IN MIND:
The absence of key players will test both teams’ depth as they prepare for the high-stakes derby. Manchester City’s already weakened midfield and defense could leave them exposed, while United will need to make adjustments to their defensive line, especially if Evans is unavailable. How both managers handle these challenges will play a crucial role in the outcome of the match.
