Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim is hoping to put together back-to-back Premier League victories for the first time in his reign at the club, but he must overcome Manchester City to do so
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 22: Ruben Amorim, Manager of Manchester United, interacts with Noussair Mazraoui of Manchester United after the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and AFC Bournemouth at Old Trafford on December 22, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)
Ruben Amorim will be boosted by Noussair Mazraoui's return(Image: Matt McNulty, Getty Images)
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim will be without Lisandro Martinez, Mason Mount and Matheus Cunha against Manchester City, but he could reintroduce Noussair Mazraoui into the starting eleven.
Amorim, 40, has endured a difficult start to the campaign, but secured an unconvincing 3-2 victory over Burnley before the international break. The Portuguese boss will be hoping that victory is the catalyst to jumpstart his United side, who struggled against Arsenal, Fulham and, for most of the game, the Clarets.
Having won only one of their first three Premier League matches of the 2025/26 campaign, United have had a fortnight to gear up for the season's first Manchester derby. Amorim's squad will be eager to become the third side to topple City, who have lost to Brighton and Hove Albion and Tottenham.
The international break arrived at an ideal moment for the Red Devils, with several players nursing knocks whilst others have regained full match sharpness. One player Amorim could deploy from the starting whistle at the Etihad Stadium is Mazraoui.
Throughout both Erik ten Hag and Amorim's reigns, the Moroccan has been a consistent player for the Reds. The defender featured 57 times across all competitions before picking up a knock on the final day against Aston Villa.
Having made his comeback in the 3-2 triumph over Burnley last month, Mazraoui looks primed to start. Speaking recently to The National, the 27-year-old reflected on his debut campaign and the gruelling nature of Premier League football.
He said: "On a personal level, my fitness and the amount of games I played, I can look back to a good season. In fitness, the Premier League is always different than the other competitions. No winter break, obviously. The games were following up really fast.
Noussair Mazraoui of Manchester United looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Burnley at Old Trafford on August 30, 2025 in Manchester, England
Noussair Mazraoui came on against Burnley for his first appearance of the season
"You hope to stay fit and play as much as possible. That hadn't always been the case for me.
"The Premier League is a bigger demand than other competitions, so you must take even more of your body. I had a switch in my mindset - be fit and ready and I think that helped me play so many games."
United head into the derby with injury concerns over Cunha and Mount. Both limped off during the clash with Burnley, leaving Amorim uncertain about their availability.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - AUGUST 30: Matheus Cunha of Manchester United leaves the pitch following an injury during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Burnley at Old Trafford on August 30, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
Cunha picked up a hamstring injury against Burnley
After the match, the United boss said: "It was hard to lose a player like Cunha and Mason Mount - Mount played like 30 minutes with an injury. I don't know [if they are long-term injuries], I don't know, but I'm concerned about that. They are so important for us, so we'll see."
On a brighter note, Martinez is moving closer to a comeback. The 27-year-old Argentina defender has been ruled out since February with an ACL problem but is now training on the pitches at Carrington.
However, it will still be a while until the World Cup winner returns to the first team. Amorim has not been able to call upon the ex-Ajax defender in the Premier League since February 2nd, when United lost 2-0 at Old Trafford to Crystal Palace.
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