Sunday will see the first of the two Manchester Derby matches this season kick off, and in recent years it’s become an affair that truly embodies the phrase “circle the date.” Manchester United, sitting in seventh place and nine points off the top of the table, will head across town to battle league leaders and defending champions Manchester City.
Let’s take a look at the injury and fitness situation for both teams, starting with the visitors.
Mourinho said at his news conference a couple hours ago that striker Romelu Lukaku is in line to play should he pass a late fitness test. Lukaku, who has not scored for United since September, missed the last two games due to an unspecified muscular problem but he has returned to training.
“Lukaku is training with the team, if this answer is positive and we have of course one more session,” Mourinho said.
“If the answer is positive, he’s ready but in this moment I can only say he trains with the team, I don’t know his answer.”
Meanwhile defender Diogo Dalot remains out, due to the injury that he suffered during the last international break. Captain Antonio Valencia is in contention to feature having recovered from his mouth injury. He travelled with the squad for the midweek win at Juventus.
United have no new injury concerns for this one; likewise for City. The Cityzens have three long term absentees: Kevin de Bruyne, Eliaquim Mangala and Claudio Bravo.
Manchester Derby FYIs
Starting XI Predictions: United- go to this link, City- go to this link
Manager Press Conference Videos, Quotes: Pep Guardiola- go to this link, Jose Mourinho- go to this link
Kickoff: Sunday, November 11, 4 pm local, Etihad Stadium
Odds via Odds Shark: United 5/1 Draw 3/1 City 53/20
Prediction: City 1, United 1
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, regularly appears as a guest pundit on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
He also contributes sociopolitical essays to Lineups.com and Chicago Now. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram. The content of his cat’s Instagram account is unquestionably superior to his.