14 players could miss Man City vs Manchester United including £62m summer signing

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There is an early Premier League derby on the cards next weekend and plenty at stake for both teams as Manchester City host Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium.

Both City and United have struggled in their opening three games, winning just once each to languish in mid-table at the first international break.

City looked good in their opening day win at Wolves, but have lost against Tottenham and Brighton. United were narrowly beaten by Arsenal, had a frustrating draw at Fulham, and then left it late to beat Burnley last time out.

United also lost to Grimsby in the Carabao Cup to put Ruben Amorim under further pressure, so he would love to repeat last year’s comeback derby win at the Etihad Stadium to hand his side a major boost.

However, City have ten players either ruled out or doubtful, and United are sweating on four players who have not featured for their countries over the international break.

Four Manchester United players are doubts to face Manchester City, including Matheus Cunha

United were already facing the potential absence of Lisandro Martinez, who is recovering from his long-term injury that has kept him out for six months.

Back in training but lacking match sharpness, it feels unlikely Martinez would be fully fit to face City, while Diogo Dalot withdrew from the Portugal squad to add to Ruben Amorim’s concerns.

Mason Mount was not in England contention but limped off against Burnley last time out and could be a doubt.

There is also concern over £62.5m summer signing Matheus Cunha, who appeared to pick up a hamstring problem in the last game and did not link up with the Brazil squad as a result.

Manchester City have ten doubts to face Manchester United, including two players definitely ruled out

John Stones added to Manchester City’s injury worries after withdrawing from the England squad with a minor muscular issue. He follows Rayan Ait-Nouri, Abdukodir Khusanov, Rico Lewis and Nico O’Reilly in pulling out of international duty with niggles.

Josko Gvardiol and Phil Foden were not selected for this week’s international fixtures for fitness reasons, while Savinho and Mateo Kovacic have not featured yet this season with injury and may not be back in time.

Kovacic is unlikely to be back in time after only recently returning to individual training and flying to New York over the international break. Rayan Cherki has also been ruled out for two months so will miss the United game.

So Guardiola is currently facing a worst-case scenario where 10 players could be missing as he looks to secure a first home win of the season against City’s biggest rivals.