‘Rooney to play pivotal role’ – Three key stats ahead of Thursday’s Manchester derby

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13 – Both sides depleted as Premier League season takes toll

If you see a Manchester derby coming up in the next few weeks, normally people’s mouths would start watering at the prospects of seeing some of the world’s best players on show on one pitch.

Yet it might not transpire like that on Thursday night at the Etihad due to the huge number of absentees from both sides as a testing Premier League campaign begins to take its toll.

The hosts suffered a huge blow on Sunday during their FA Cup semi-final loss to Arsenal when David Silva, Sergio Aguero and Fernandinho all limped off the Wembley pitch with serious injuries.

With Gabriel Jesus not set to start a game just yet, Bacary Sagna ruled out, Ilkay Gundogan out for the season and John Stones doubtful for a return, City’s options begin to look a little depleted.

It’s arguably a worse scenario for Jose Mourinho, however, with midfield maestro Paul Pogba becoming the latest name on the injury-list after picking up a knock during the win over Burnley.

He joins Juan Mata, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones on the side-lines, whilst Ibrahimovic and Marcos Rojo were ruled out for the season last-week after knee injuries picked up in the Europa League.

Add it all up and it’s a potential 13 first-team regulars, across both sides, that won’t be playing in one of the biggest and most important derbies for a long time – so now it comes down to squad depth.

Featured Image: All rights reserved by Arif Shamim.