Manchester United striker Robin van Persie will miss out on a place in the team for the Manchester derby on Sunday despite returning to training following an ankle injury.
Chris Smalling is doubtful through illness, while Luke Shaw is injured and Jonny Evans suspended, while Andreas Pereira is with Brazil’s under-20 side.
Manchester City will assess captain Vincent Kompany, who has a hamstring injury and remains doubtful.
Wilfried Bony is sidelined by ankle and knee problems, while Dedryck Boyata and Stevan Jovetic will also miss out.
City boss Manuel Pellegrini said: “It is always better to play with Kompany but if, for different reasons, he cannot play we have a squad and he must be replaced.”
The Chilean manager admitted that 2015 “is not a good year for us” but claimed “we are not a disaster, we’re not a mess” as his side aim for a fifth successive victory over their local rivals.
“They dominated the league for so many years but one time Sir Alex Ferguson said the neighbours are disturbing them a little bit more – so I say that’s double motivation for us,” added Pellegrini.
Asked about winning his first Manchester derby, Van Gaal replied: “I dream of it, every player shall dream of the victory.”
MATCH PREVIEW
Welcome to Manchester – this season more likely to be a ‘key marginal’ rather than the seat of the Premier League title, as it has been for the last four years and seven of the last eight.
As the national picture turns a darker shade of blue, City’s problems are of a local nature too, with a significant swing to the reds that has seen United go above them in the table for the first time all season.
United have 11 points more than at the same stage a year ago, whilst City have mustered nine fewer.
Failure to get back above the opposition in May will surely see their supporters call for a change of leadership!
Leaving the poor political puns aside, who can say they genuinely thought even just a few weeks ago that Louis van Gaal’s team would be ahead of Manuel Pellegrini’s by the time of this derby?
United have found great form to go with previous good fortune, and Van Gaal has found a system: Daley Blind at left-back, Michael Carrick deep in midfield, Marouane Fellaini working well with Ander Herrera, Ashley Young flying, Juan Mata starting, Wayne Rooney up front.
It all works – particularly with those last two names playing how and where they are.
In losing five of their last seven matches, City’s system has looked rigid and rickety.
Will Pellegrini finally bow to pressure and change from his preferred 4-4-2 (mainly 4-2-4!) to deal with United’s in-form midfield? Unlikely – and so might be a win for his team unless Yaya Toure and Sergio Aguero really step up again.
Aguero, like Van Gaal, believes the title can still be won. His lack of a goal in the last five league games is one reason why City surely won’t win it.
It’s all about the Manchester mini-league now. It’s the 152nd Manchester league derby. Chelsea and Arsenal would cheer a 50th draw.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
- Manchester City can claim five successive league wins against Manchester United for the first time.
- It would also be the first time a Premier League side has won five in a row against United.
- City have won six of the last seven Premier League meetings.
- They have also won on their last three visits to Old Trafford, scoring a total of 11 goals.
Manchester United
- Since losing to Manchester City on 2 November, the Red Devils have suffered just two defeats in 21 league games (W15, D4).
- United have claimed 40 points at home – more than any other Premier League side.
- They are chasing a sixth consecutive league win.
- Wayne Rooney has 170 league goals for United. Only Denis Law (171), Jack Rowley (182) and Sir Bobby Charlton (199) have scored more.
- Against Aston Villa, Angel Di Maria became the second player to reach 10 Premier League assists this season (after Cesc Fabregas).
Manchester City
- City have lost their last three Premier League away games. A fourth defeat would represent their worst run on the road since a sequence of seven straight losses in 2006.
- They have not kept a clean sheet away from home in eight league and cup matches since 13 December.
- Sergio Aguero has five goals in six league games against Manchester United.
- However, Aguero has only netted three times in his last 12 top-flight appearances – with two of those goals penalties.
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Source: BBC Sport