Man Utd facing double blow ahead of Manchester derby as major outcome looms
Manchester United are facing a double blow ahead of the Manchester derby on Saturday, January 17 as they look to return to winning ways in the Premier League next weekend
Manchester United are bracing themselves for a double setback ahead of the Manchester derby on Saturday, January 17. Amad and Noussair Mazraoui are the only two Red Devils stars currently participating in the Africa Cup of Nations, following Bryan Mbeumo’s Cameroon losing to Mazraoui’s Morocco on Friday night.
Amad is set to play for the Ivory Coast against Egypt on Saturday evening. If the Ivorians triumph, they will advance to a semi-final against Senegal on January 14, just three days before the Manchester derby.
This puts Amad’s involvement in the match against Manchester City into question. Adding to United‘s woes, City’s Omar Marmoush could return if Egypt are knocked out.
READ MORE: 5 questions Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will have to answer in Man Utd job interviewREAD MORE: Mikel Arteta’s next four Arsenal contract priorities emerge after Bukayo Saka decision made
The absence of Amad over the past few weeks has been a significant issue for the Reds. The team has sorely missed the 23-year-old’s craft and creativity, having drawn their last three matches.
However, this could change with Bruno Fernandes returning from injury and Mbeumo coming back from Afcon – who should be back in the squad for the City match next weekend.
Injuries and absences due to Afcon mean that United’s squad continues to be stretched ahead of Sunday’s FA Cup third round tie against Brighton and Hove Albion at Old Trafford.
However, there is some good news as centre-back Harry Maguire, who was back on the bench midweek against Burnley, could make his first appearance since early November.
“He’s been out for a while so we will be looking at his load and things like that,” interim boss Darren Fletcher said in his pre-match press conference.
“A decision has not been made [on his minutes] but when you see the players coming back the other night, you have seen Mason [Mount], Kobbie [Mainoo], Bruno [Fernandes], there has to be some understanding with their first minutes may have to be careful with that process to build back in. So I think Harry will be in that situation for the weekend.”
Speaking about Mainoo, who has made just one starting appearance this campaign and faced speculation over a potential departure before Amorim’s dismissal, Fletcher said: “He seems in a good place.
“Kobbie doesn’t give you much so you wouldn’t know if he was in a good place or not.
“He’s like that, it’s just his natural way, I know him well and I have known him for a long time, I’ve seen him around the building and had conversations with him.
“He’s in a good place, but I know Kobbie and he knows me and (assistant) Travis Binnion and he’s comfortable with this environment. He is in a good place, he’s trained well and as I say he is hard to read, so that remains to be seen.”
Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.
