Man Utd news: Fresh injury problem emerges as Ruben Amorim offers sobering reality check

Manchester United have been hampered by injuries all season and are likely to be without a key defender for Sunday’s derby against Manchester City in the Premier League

Manchester United are preparing to take on Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon in a huge game for both clubs. Beyond the usual bragging rights, there is a lot to play for, with United desperate for points as they sit in a lowly 13th place, while City are pushing for a place in the top four.

Ruben Amorim has good memories of the Manchester Derby, having come out on top via a 2-1 scoreline back in December thanks to Amad Diallo’s dramatic late winner. That remains the high point of Amorim’s difficult spell in charge of United, who have won just 10 of their 30 league games this season.

A narrow 1-0 defeat at the hands of Nottingham Forest on Tuesday brought plenty of frustration, which the team must channel into an improved performance against Pep Guardiola’s side this weekend. They will then go into the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final against Lyon – another crucial game which could define the campaign.

So with another weekend of Premier League action upon us, here are the latest headlines.

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Amorim offers injury update

Manchester United have been boosted by the return to training of Kobbie Mainoo – but Matthijs de Ligt is a doubt for Sunday’s game. Amorim has been hampered by injuries, but Mainoo is approaching full fitness once again.

“I think Kobbie is returning to training, so we will assess [him] ahead of the game,” he said on Friday. “He cannot play a full game. I think Matthijs has an issue.

“Yes, [Mason Mount] is fit enough to start, but we must manage him. Mason has trained a lot of times, getting the load in his body. Sometimes the mind is more important than the body. He is fit to play and we will see on Sunday.”

Reality check issued

Amorim has once again underlined how long it will take to get United back to a position where they can compete for the Premier League title. “I understand, I’m not naïve,” he said yesterday. “I’m not saying we’re going to win the title next year, I’m not crazy.

“I don’t want to think we need a lot of years to be competitive, I cannot think like that. That is why I am putting pressure on myself. I know we are not going to be the biggest contender in the next year or two years.

“We’re doing a lot of things, putting in some standards and sometimes we change players so they have to adjust to our new standards. I know it’s difficult to do that in just one year. I know it’s going to take time, but I will not think like that and say ‘I need a lot of years’. I cannot manage like that.

McTominay mismanaged at United

Scott McTominay believes he played in the wrong position for a lot of his time at Manchester United. The Scotland international left the club for Napoli in the summer and has been playing brilliantly in Italy, recording seven goals and four assists so far this season under Antonio Conte.

His experiences in Naples have made him reflect on his time at his boyhood club. “When I got into the first team, I was quite misprofiled in where I was playing,” he told The Athletic. “It wasn’t the fault of any coaches. My strengths have always been getting into the box, scoring goals, being a problem in there.

“But I was being used as a No 6, or as a centre-back, and that has never really been my game. When you’re playing for Manchester United and you’re 20, you can’t knock on the manager’s door and say that you expect to be playing at No 8 ahead of Paul Pogba. It’s not realistic.”

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