Guardiola hopeful that Belgian international can play again this season
Manchester United vs Manchester City
Competition: F.A. Premier League
Date: 8.00pm, Wednesday 24th April 2019
Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester
Referee: Andre Marriner Assistants: S Ledger, S Long Fourth Official: C Pawson
Odds: United 6/1, Draw 7/2, City 4/9 (see more Premier League odds)
Tickets: Sold out
TV: Sky Sports
Manchester United
Manager: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Squad (from): De Gea, Romero, Grant, Lindelof, Bailly, Jones, Smalling, Rojo, Shaw, Darmian, Dalot, Pogba, Mata, Lingard, Periera, Fred, Herrera, Matic, McTominay, Sanchez, Lukaku, Rashford, Martial
Injured: Valencia
Doubtful: Jones, Herrera, Bailly
Suspended: None
Form guide: LLWLL
Manchester City
Manager: Pep Guardiola
Squad (from): Ederson, Grimshaw, Muric, Danilo, Kompany, Laporte, Mendy, Otamendi, Stones, Walker, Zinchenko, Delph, Fernandinho, Foden, Gundogan, Mahrez, Sane, B Silva, D Silva, Sterling, Aguero, Jesus
Injured: De Bruyne, Bravo
Doubtful: Mendy
Suspended: None
Form guide: WLWWW
Kevin De Bruyne is unavailable for the 167th derby against United at Old Trafford, after sustaining a muscular injury against Spurs at the weekend. Manager Pep Guardiola, though, said that he was hopeful that the Belgian interntaional would play again this season at Tuesday's press conference.
“I don’t know (exactly what the issue is). It’s a muscular problem we will see in next few days how he will do, but tomorrow, no.
“Muscular problems - he had two or three this season, but normally this kind of competition in England we don’t have time for an operation - we have to more attention in little details.
“We will see if he can play one or two more games this season and next season take care of him.
“He has a lovely family, his life is well organised with family, training, rest, next game.
“We are going to speak with him, docs physios to make sure he is safe and fit. That’s what we are trying to do from now on.”
City's last away game at Old Trafford ended in a 2-1 victory, with David Silva and Nicolas Otamendi netting for the Blues. Overall City have won 50 of the 166 games played against United, with 49 draws and 67 defeats.
Predicted line-up: Ederson, Walker, Kompany, Laporte, Zinchenko, Fernandinho, Gundogan, D Silva, B Silva, Sterling, Aguero
Score prediction: Manchester United 1 Manchester City 2