Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirmed that Harry Maguire failed a late fitness test, despite trying hard to be fit to face Manchester City tonight.
Maguire, who picked up a knock in the FA Cup 0-0 draw with Wolves but remained on the pitch for the full 90 minutes, arrived with his teammates at The Lowry Hotel this afternoon but was not fit enough to feature in United's matchday squad for tonight's Carabao Cup Phil Jones is his replacement at centre-back.
“No he couldn’t make it,” Solskjaer told MUTV when asked about his team selection and Maguire's omission.
“So there is no point trying to make things worse. He was trying to the end, but he wasn’t ready, no.”
Maguire tweeted: "Disappointed to miss out through injury — let’s get right behind the lads."
In the absence of Maguire and Ashley Young, Solskjaer has handed the captain's armband to Marcus Rashford for the first time, while also including teenagers Mason Greenwood and Brandon Williams who are set for their derby debuts.
United's team for the League Cup semi-final first leg includes five homegrown products.
"That's part of our identity to give our young lads a chance." added the Norwegian.
"And I think with Marcus today, the first time he's captained, that's a good night for him.
"Brandon and Mason to play in a game like this, it's probably the biggest game they've played against the biggest team they've played.
"But they've risen to every chance we've given them and we felt we wanted to give the young lads a chance today."
United XI vs Man City: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Jones, Lindelof, Williams; Fred, Pereira; James, Lingard, Rashford; Greenwood.
Subs: Romero, Dalot, Matic, Chong, Gomes, Mata, Martial.
