Just two injury concerns for Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca as the derby commences this weekend. The goalposts have been moved back, again, when it comes to Belgian winger Jeremy Doku. That’s the bad news. But there is good news- English left back/defensive midfielder Nico O’Reilly has been passed fit.
Manchester Derby FYIs
Kickoff: Sun. Sept 13, 4:30pm, Old Trafford
Starting XI Predictions: Man United Man City
Team News: Man United Man City
Premier League Standings: Man United 11th, 4 pts Man City 1st, 9 pts
Premier League Form: Man United LWD Man City WWW
Probability, According to Google: Manchester United Wins 30% | Manchester City Wins 45% | Draw 25%
Man City Team News
Said Maresca, at his weekly news conference earlier today, regarding the topic of the player’s lower back problem: “Nico O’Reilly is 100% available.”
And then, on the topic of Doku’s calf injury, he answered a reporter’s query: “I think he needs some more days.”
Other than that, the injury/team news/availability/unavailability situation remains unchanged, so Maresca heads into this one with a nearly fully fit squad.
He won’t have too many worries in selection, when it comes to picking his first team.
Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He currently contributes to USA Today’s NFL Wires Network, Ratings and RG. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. His work has been featured in numerous outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes and the Washington Post.