Man Utdvs.Man City

The Red Devils will be bidding to bounce back from a 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest when they continue their Premier League campaign with a contest against the Citizens this weekend.

Mainoo has not featured for Man United since the start of February due to a muscular problem, but the England international has returned to training ahead of the derby fixture.

As a result, the 19-year-old has a chance of being in the squad against Pep Guardiola's side, although it is far too soon to consider him to play the full 90 minutes.

Amorim also revealed a fresh injury concern during his press conference on Friday, with Matthijs de Ligt emerging as a doubt due to an injury that he sustained in the clash with Forest on Tuesday night.

Mainoo could return to Man United squad against Man City

"I think Kobbie is returning to training, so we'll see and assess for this game already," Amorim told reporters. "Of course, he cannot play a full game, he's a long time without training.

"I think Matta [de Ligt] has an issue. He has something during the game [at Forest] and we have to assess. I think the rest is normal."

Luke Shaw is back in training after a lengthy absence, but the England international is still not being considered for selection, while Lisandro Martinez, Ayden Heaven and Jonny Evans remain on the sidelines alongside Amad Diallo.

However, Mason Mount was back involved off the bench against Forest, and Amorim has revealed that the Englishman is in his thoughts when it comes to a potential appearance in the first XI on Sunday.

"Yes, he can start, but we have to manage his minutes still," he added.

Who starts if De Ligt misses out?

Should De Ligt fail a late fitness test, then it is expected that Harry Maguire, who made his own injury return off the bench against Forest, will be recalled in the middle of the defence.

Leny Yoro and Noussair Mazraoui will continue in the back three, with Diogo Dalot and Patrick Dorgu set to operate as the wing-backs, so it would be a straight swap at the back if De Ligt does indeed miss out.

Mainoo is unlikely to start, meaning that it could be Manuel Ugarte and Bruno Fernandes in the engine room, with Mount certainly in line to operate as one of the number 10s from the first whistle.

"We want to win this game, we want to improve in the league table and especially we want to win games. We are going to have full focus on this game," Amorim added ahead of next week's huge Europa League quarter-final first leg against Lyon.

Man United are currently 13th in the Premier League table, boasting only 37 points from their 30 league matches this season, while Man City are fifth, one point behind fourth-placed Chelsea.

Written by

Matt Law