Manchester United’s Harry Maguire and Manchester City’s John Stones have been ruled out of this Sunday’s Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium after suffering injuries while on England duty.
Maguire was seen limping after the Three Lions’ 3-3 draw with Germany at Wembley Stadium on Monday with a suspected hamstring problem while Stones was hauled off during the first half of the same game having tweaked his hamstring himself.
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United boss Erik ten Hag confirmed that Maguire would miss the derby match after the injury ruled him out of Red Devils training in the build-up to this weekend’s clash. But the former Ajax boss has also issued his commitment to the troubled defender who is in a rough patch.
He said: “I have to coach him and back him. I back him because I believe in him. I can see his qualities. Quality is there. Almost 50 caps for England, he has high potential. Then it is about him. We all believe in him.”
The Dutchman also revealed that both Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial were involved in training this week and that the pair are in contention to feature at the Etihad on Sunday.
Pep Guardiola announced in his pre-match press conference that City would be without Stones for at least two weeks but he also confirmed that midfielder Kalvin Phillips has undergone successful surgery to combat his shoulder issue. He said the player “feels really good” and “he made the right decision.”
The two teams square-up in the early kick-off of Sky Sports’ Super Sunday which is shaping up to be the most exciting contest between the two teams in recent years.
Guardiola’s side are unbeaten in all competitions this term and have won five out of their seven Premier League matches as they sit one place and one point behind league leaders Arsenal.
As for United, they have won their last four Premier League games, with their most recent coming against The Gunners at Old Trafford. These performances earned Ten Hag the Premier League's September Manager of the Month which was confirmed on Friday afternoon while attacker Rashford scooped up the Player of the Month award.
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