Manchester City's Croatian defender #24 Josko Gvardiol (C) speaks with Manchester City's Spanish manager Pep Guardiola after picking up an injury during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on January 4, 2026. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP via Getty Images)placeholder image
Manchester City's Croatian defender #24 Josko Gvardiol (C) speaks with Manchester City's Spanish manager Pep Guardiola after picking up an injury during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on January 4, 2026. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images
Man City could be missing six players for the Manchester derby, whereas Man United could miss one.
Man United and Man City are preparing for the second Manchester derby of the season, and it comes in very different circumstances from the first. Ruben Amorim is no longer Man United manager, as the Red Devils will go into the game under the guidance of Michael Carrick.
As far as City are concerned, it is somewhat of a must-win for Pep Guardiola’s side, as they are six points behind Arsenal, who have really begun to pull away at the top of the table. Furthermore, City are winless in their last three Premier League matches, so they will be desperate for three points.
Heading into the game, Man United are in a fantastic position with regard to injuries. Furthermore, they’re expected to see Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo return from AFCON too. However, Man City have six players who could miss the game because of injury.
Man City injury news
Defensive injuries have really hit Man City, as John Stones and Ruben Dias are both ruled out of the game too. Stones is dealing with a hamstring issue, and Dias is likely to be out with his hamstring problem for another month.
Midfielder Mateo Kovacic is also dealing with an ankle injury, which means he won’t be available for Guardiola. The Croatian is likely to come back in March for the back end of the Premier League season. Oscar Bobb will also miss the Man United game, as he is likely to return at the start of February because of a hamstring injury.
There is one City player who is currently being assessed ahead of the derby, and it’s winger Savinho. He picked up a knock against Sunderland at the start of the month, but is hoping to return this week.
Man City players ruled out: Gvardiol, Kovacic, Stones, Dias, Bobb
Man City players in doubt: Savinho
Man United injury news
Carrick doesn’t have many injuries to deal with at the moment, which makes the task of facing rivals City slightly easier than it could have been. There is just one Man United player on the injury list, and it’s defender Matthijs De Ligt.
The Dutchman is dealing with a lower back issue that he suffered in December. It is understood that De Ligt is getting closer to a return, but the Man City game is expected to come too soon for him, with a return looking most likely in early February.
As mentioned, another boost for Carrick is that he’ll have Mbeumo and Amad Diallo back from AFCON. Although, Noussair Mazraoui won’t be back yet, as Morocco remain in the competition.
Man United players ruled out: De Ligt
Man United players in doubt: N/a
Continue Reading