‘I don’t think’ – Erik ten Hag issues damning Manchester United injury update ahead of City showdown

Manchester City have seen rival manager Erik ten Hag offer a damning update on the fitness of his Manchester United squad ahead of this weekend’s derby showdown.

The Premier League champions host their bitter city rivals hoping to remain within touching distance of their title rivals this season, coming into the weekend’s matches just one point short of leaders Liverpool.

City have been boosted in recent weeks by key returns of injured players, with Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland subsequently reigniting the force of the Treble-winning squad, while Jack Grealish continues to be frustrated by a groin issue.

A much more challenging situation is ongoing over at the Old Trafford club however, with a long list of players absent from their playing squad including integral names such as Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martinez, and Rasmus Højlund to name a few.

Speaking on the fitness of Bruno Fernandes and Raphael Varane – both of whom were late inclusions in Manchester United’s FA Cup win at Nottingham Forest, Erik ten Hag revealed that the pair ‘came well out of the game’ ahead of the weekend’s meeting with City.

“They fought to be part (of the game against Nottingham Forest) and they came well out of the game,” said ten Hag. “I think they will be available for Sunday (against Manchester City) as well.”

Offering an update on the wider squad, including the likes of Harry Maguire, ten Hag continued, “And for the rest, I don’t think players will return for Sunday, so we do it with the squad from yesterday (at Nottingham Forest).”

Subsequently, Manchester United’s injury list is likely to include the following players in terms of absentees from the meeting with Manchester City this weekend:

• Luke Shaw
• Lisandro Martinez
• Anthony Martial
• Tyrell Malacia
• Rasmus Hojlund
• Mason Mount
• Aaron Wan-Bissaka
• Harry Maguire

The meeting with Manchester United is the first of a challenging run of fixtures for Manchester City across the course of March, and a real test of their trophy-winning credentials for the second-half of the season.

In the Premier League alone, City take on all of Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United within the month, as well as hosting Newcastle United in the quarter-finals of the Emirates FA Cup and FC Copenhagen in the UEFA Champions League last-16 second-leg with a 3-1 advantage.