Squad boost for Reds ahead of derby

The midfielder produced a wonderfully combative performance in difficult conditions in the 4-2 win over Leeds United but was then forced to sit out the games with Atletico Madrid and Watford.

After illness ruled him out of those encounters, he was back with the squad at Carrington on Tuesday.

Interim manager Ralf Rangnick had said he hoped the Scotland international would return to the fold this week after he was missed in the two draws.

McTominay, of course, scored a memorable goal against City in front of a packed Old Trafford back in 2020 before the pandemic struck, and will be hoping to be involved at the Etihad in our clash with the Premier League leaders.

Harry Maguire and Jadon Sancho, who started on the bench against the Hornets on Saturday, were also among the group taking part in the session and could be contenders for starting spots in the 16:30 GMT kick-off.

Marcus Rashford, who relishes the derby occasion, and Luke Shaw, a scorer in our 2-0 triumph in this fixture in 2020/21, also came on as substitutes last time out and trained in front of our cameras on Wednesday.

Rangnick is set to provide an update on the team news in Friday's press conference, which will be covered live on MUTV, ManUtd.com and the United App.

FROM THE BLUES' CAMP

Defenders Nathan Ake and Ruben Dias were withdrawn at half-time in the 2-0 Emirates FA Cup fifth-round win over Peterborough United.

"Nathan finished bad in the action when he got the yellow card [in the first half] and Ruben was not feeling good in this leg," said City boss Pep Guardiola afterwards.

"That's why, for caution and to be alert, we made the substitutions. It was not planned but Aymeric [Laporte] and John [Stones] were excellent second half. I would say it was a medical decision."

Youngster Cole Palmer has been absent of late but record signing Jack Grealish is back and scored in the cup clash at London Road.