By Isaac Mission
Manchester United and Manchester City are preparing for their first Premier League meeting of the season with both clubs dealing with fitness concerns ahead of Sunday’s derby at Old Trafford.
United head coach Michael Carrick has several players unavailable or doubtful as his side prepares to face an unbeaten City team in the 4:30pm BST kick-off.
United go into the fixture after a convincing 4-0 Champions League victory over Sabah, following a 2-2 league draw away to Everton. City, meanwhile, recorded European and domestic victories over FC Porto and Coventry City respectively.
United's Injury Situation
Luke Shaw is among the players whose availability remains uncertain. Carrick revealed that the experienced defender was given additional recovery time following United’s recent fixtures.
Shaw has played a significant role for United despite his previous struggles with injuries, and the club will assess his condition before making a final decision on his involvement.
Marcus Rashford is another player being monitored after he was forced off early during the Everton match. He returned to training on Wednesday and was named among the substitutes for the Champions League win over Sabah without being used.
Matthijs de Ligt remains unavailable as he continues his recovery from a long-term back problem. The defender has not played since late November and underwent surgery in May.
Carrick said De Ligt is progressing positively in training but stressed that United are being careful with the final stage of his rehabilitation.
Amad, Manuel Ugarte, Tom Heaton and Carlos Baleba are also currently sidelined, leaving United with several absentees heading into the derby.
De Ligt Closing in on Return
Carrick provided an encouraging update on De Ligt, saying the centre-back has been training well as he approaches a possible return to competitive action.
The United boss acknowledged that returning from an extended injury layoff requires careful management, particularly during the final stages of rehabilitation.
The club is therefore expected to take a cautious approach rather than rush the defender back into action.
City Have Fewer Concerns
Manchester City appear to have a shorter injury list heading into the derby.
Jeremy Doku remains sidelined after suffering calf tightness during the Community Shield. The problem was initially considered minor, but it has kept the winger out of City's opening four matches of the campaign.
City boss Enzo Maresca has indicated that Doku still needs additional recovery time before returning.
There is better news regarding Nico O’Reilly, however. After withdrawing during the warm-up ahead of City's game against Coventry, the midfielder has now been declared fully fit and available for selection.
With O’Reilly back in contention, Doku is expected to be City's only absentee for the highly anticipated Manchester derby.
The contrasting injury situations could give both managers selection decisions to make as United look to halt City's unbeaten start to the season at Old Trafford.