Manchester United have been handed a double boost ahead of their Premier League clash with Manchester City at Old Trafford, despite another disappointing result as they crashed out of the FA Cup
Abde Ezzalzouli against Bryan Mbeumo during the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final match between Cameroon and Morocco.
Bryan Mbeumo is expected to be available for Manchester United this weekend after returning from the Africa Cup of Nations. (Image: Abu Adem Muhammed/Anadolu via Getty Images)
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Manchester United don’t have too long to dwell on the disappointment of their exit at the FA Cup third round. A 2-1 home loss against Premier League rivals Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday afternoon means that United will no longer play a part in the competition.
The game may have been caretaker manager Darren Fletcher’s final one in charge, with the club closing in on making a decision on Ruben Amorim’s replacement. United are expected to name an interim manager until the end of the season, before making a more long-term appointment in the summer.
The new manager’s first game in charge will be the Manchester Derby against Manchester City at Old Trafford. The game takes place on Saturday with kick-off at 12.30pm.
Ahead of the clash, United have been handed a double boost in terms of player availability. Three United players were in Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final action this week with Bryan Mbeumo’s Cameroon coming up against Noussair Mazraoui’s Morocco and Amad’s Ivory Coast playing Nigeria.
Losses for both Cameroon and the Ivory Coast means that two of the three players - Mbeumo and Amad, will return to Carrington in time for the weekend’s game against City and are therefore expected to be available for selection.
Morocco’s progress to the semi-final of the competition means that full-back Mazraoui won’t be available. Their final four game against Nigeria takes place on Wednesday night (8pm kick-off).
If they win, they will go on to play the final of the tournament, against either Senegal or Nigeria, on Sunday. But even if they lose, Morocco will take part in the third place play-off on Saturday.
Away from Afcon, United are faring well on the injury side, with the only current doubt for the game being centre-back Matthijs de Ligt. The defender has missed the last nine games with a back injury and is therefore a major doubt for the match.
Matthijs de Ligt during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Matthijs de Ligt is a major doubt for Manchester United against Manchester City. (Image: Julian Finney/Getty Images)
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After his red card against Brighton on Sunday, young winger Shea Lacey will serve his one-match suspension for the game against City at the weekend.
The 18-year-old was shown a second yellow card with one minute of normal time left to play.
Full Man United squad available
Goalkeepers: Senne Lammens, Altay Bayindir, Tom Heaton
Defenders: Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia, Patrick Dorgu, Leny Yoro, Luke Shaw, Ayden Heaven, Tyler Fredricson, Diego Leon
Midfielders: Mason Mount, Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte, Kobbie Mainoo
Forwards: Matheus Cunha, Joshua Zirkzee, Amad, Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko, Chido Obi
Doubts: Matthijs de Ligt
Unavailable: Noussair Mazraoui, Shea Lacey