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Friday 13 December 2024 13:30
Manchester United could welcome Jonny Evans back into the squad for Sunday’s derby against City at the Etihad Stadium.
The experienced centre-back has been out since the opening game of Ruben Amorim’s tenure, the 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town last month, when the defender started and played for 56 minutes.
However, he trained with the main group ahead of the 2-1 victory over Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League and should be in contention to return.
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When asked about Jonny’s possible participation, with the 36-year-old’s first derby coming back in May 2009, Amorim replied: “Yeah, he’s training already.”
Hopefully, there were no fresh knocks sustained on a less-than-perfect pitch at the Doosan Arena.
“I don’t think so,” said the boss. “It was five minutes ago, so I have to see it. But no, just some players were tired in the end, you could see it, also because of the transitions it was a crazy game in the end today.
“But I think everyone is going to be fit and ready to win the game.”
Luke Shaw is currently sidelined but, otherwise, United will hope to have a clean bill of health when it comes to the senior squad, for the 16:30 GMT kick-off.
Leny Yoro and Kobbie Mainoo were unused substitutes against Plzen but whether that offers any clues to the selection of the XI on Sunday is not clear. Rasmus Hojlund obviously pushed his claims for a start with the matchwinning double, while Amad operated in a more central, advanced role rather than right wing-back.
Tyrell Malacia played on the left-hand side, as he continues his return to full fitness.
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MANCHESTER CITY’S TEAM NEWS
The Blues are in a poor run of form, with only one win in their last 10 games in all competitions following a 2-0 reverse at Juventus in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Pep Guardiola is definitely without versatile England international Rico Lewis and there are doubts over some of his defenders too.
Manuel Akanji and John Stones have question marks over their involvement, while Nathan Ake looks set to remain absent. Guardiola said over Akanji: “He has a discomfort in the stomach area, [the] abductor.
“It doesn’t feel good but he made an incredible effort. Him and Nathan [Ake] weren’t even at half their best and they helped to play there. Manu plays 45 minutes and steps back and says I have to recover or I can’t compete. He’s a strong player and so reliable but, in that moment, he cannot play.
“We will think about it [the make-up of the defence],” added the City manager. “Maybe a winger has to play as a full-back or Matheus [Nunes], or maybe we play with five at the back with wing-backs.”
Guardiola also praised the resilience of Kevin De Bruyne and top scorer Erling Haaland with their ability to recover after games.
Mateo Kovacic and Phil Foden are available, unlike long-term injury victims Rodri and Oscar Bobb, while Ederson and Stefan Ortega have been sharing goalkeeping duties of late.
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Friday 13 December 2024 13:30
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