Team news for the Manchester derby

Thursday 29 February 2024 14:30

Manchester United will have an unchanged squad for Sunday’s derby, according to Erik ten Hag.

The Reds battled through a tight, tense Emirates FA Cup fifth-round tie at Nottingham Forest on Wednesday night, with Casemiro’s 89th-minute header proving enough to set up a mouthwatering quarter-final against Liverpool.

Bruno Fernandes, who set up the Brazilian's winner with a teasing free-kick, and Raphael Varane were labelled as doubts ahead of the trip to the East Midlands, but both completed the full 90 minutes.

Our captain, in particular, appeared to be feeling the effects of an at-times brutal battle, but Ten Hag said the pair should be fine for the meeting with City at the Etihad Stadium, which kicks off at 15:30 GMT.

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“They fought to be part [of it] and they came well out of the game. I think they will be available for Sunday as well,” Ten Hag told reporters.

“And for the rest, I don't think players will return for Sunday, so we do it with the squad from yesterday.”

That suggests that Harry Maguire will not be fit enough to make the game, having missed out on Wednesday.

The game is also set to be too early for Rasmus Hojlund, who should return from a muscle injury at some point in March.

Tyrell Malacia, Anthony Martial, Lisandro Martinez, Mason Mount, Luke Shaw and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are all unavailable.

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MANCHESTER CITY TEAM NEWS

Pep Guardiola will hold his press conference on Friday and the Spaniard is expected to give an update on Jack Grealish, who returned to the starting line-up for the first time since early January in the 6-2 FA Cup win over Luton Town.

The England winger had to be withdrawn on 38 minutes though, with Guardiola hinting at a reoccurrence of the groin injury which has restricted his appearances lately.

Josko Gvardiol, who has been on the sidelines for the last three weeks, has returned to training and could be in contention to feature, while Ederson, Ruben Dias, Rodri and Phil Foden were given the night off at Kenilworth Road ahead of a busy March for City.

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