As many as 12 players could miss the 197th instalment of the Manchester derby between bitter rivals Manchester City and Manchester United after the international break.
Pep Guardiola’s side will welcome Ruben Amorim’s men to the Etihad Stadium for an eagerly-anticipated showdown in the Premier League on September 14, but both sides are unlikely to be a full strength.
Ahead of England’s 2026 World Cup qualifier at home to Andorra on Saturday, Thomas Tuchel has confirmed that Man City defender John Stones has withdrawn from his squad as a precautionary measure.
“Unfortunately, John Stones [has] just left,” Tuchel told reporters. “He came with minor muscle issues to camp and didn’t progress the way we thought and hoped he would, so he left camp this morning because we will not take the risk against Andorra and also unfortunately against Serbia.”
"Everyone else is available. We had 21 players yesterday in training and 21 players today in training and hopefully make sure everyone is available for tomorrow."
Stones, who has been prone to injury and fitness issues in recent years, has started all three of Man City’s Premier League games this season, but he has emerged as a doubt for their upcoming encounter with Man United.
Manchester City's Abdukodir Khusanov in training on February 10, 2025
Stones one of eight Man City players who could miss Man Utd showdown
Stones is in fact one of eight Man City players who is dealing with some form of injury or fitness issue and is the second Citizens star to withdraw from international duty after Abdukodir Khusanov.
The 21-year-old centre-back started alongside Stones in City’s 2-1 defeat at Brighton in the Premier League last weekend, but he was forced off in the second half with a calf problem and has since pulled out of the Uzbekistan squad.
A statement from the Uzbekistan FA read: "Uzbekistan national team defender Abdukodir Khusanov felt unwell yesterday during Manchester City's match against Brighton. After tests, it was revealed that our player has a minor injury to his left calf muscle.
"According to preliminary findings, the recovery period is expected to be two weeks. It was announced that Khusanov will not be able to participate in the CAFA Nations Cup tournament, according to doctors' recommendations."
One Man City player who is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines is Rayan Cherki after Guardiola confirmed last weekend that the summer signing will be “out for two months. Seven or eight weeks” with an unspecified injury.
Mateo Kovacic underwent Achilles surgery in June and the Croatian midfielder is targeting a return to full fitness towards the end of September or early October.
Meanwhile, Josko Gvardiol, Phil Foden, Savinho and Marcus Bettinelli have all been nursing unspecified issues, but it is thought that all four players are edging closer to a return and will be assessed ahead of the Manchester derby.
Manchester United's Matheus Cunha and Diogo Dalot on August 30, 2025
Man Utd could be without four players for Man City clash
Over on the red side of Manchester, four Man United players are in the treatment room including long-term absentee Lisandro Martinez, who continues his rehabilitation from a serious knee injury sustained in February.
The Red Devils suffered two fresh injury blows in their last-gasp 3-2 victory over Burnley in the Premier League last weekend, as summer signing Matheus Cunha and Maon Mount were both forced off at Old Trafford.
Cunha suffered a hamstring injury in the first half and has emerged as a doubt for the clash with Man City along with Mount, who “played 30 minutes with an injury” before coming off at half time, according to Amorim.
Diogo Dalot has since been added to Man United’s injury list, as he has withdrawn from the Portugal squad after the full-back complained of “muscle discomfort” following a training session this week.
The 26-year-old will now return to Old Trafford to undergo further assessment, with Amorim and Guardiola set to provide further updates on the fitness of their respective squads at pre-match press conferences next week.
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