Victor Lindelof and Edinson Cavani were not spotted as the Manchester United squad arrived at The Lowry Hotel on Friday night ahead of Saturday's derby.
Cavani was not named in the Uruguay squad for their World Cup qualifiers against Argentina and Bolivia this month due to medical reasons.
The 34-year-old's United career has been marred by fitness issues and Cavani scored his first goal of the season at Tottenham last week.
Security then waited around outside the hotel to greet late arrival Anthony Elanga.
Lindelof missed United's 2-2 Champions League draw with Atalanta on Tuesday due to a training ground injury he sustained on Monday morning but the Sweden captain was included in the national team squad for their World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Spain.
At his pre-match press conference, United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said Lindelof would 'come back in tomorrow', which indicated the Swede was due to have a fitness test on Saturday. Lindelof was not present for the United squad's team bonding meal in Hale on Thursday.
Fellow centre-back Raphael Varane is sidelined for a month with a hamstring strain and Paul Pogba is still suspended following his expulsion in the 5-0 hammering by Liverpool. Eric Bailly is set to start.
"With all the technology now, you expect him to be out for four or five weeks with the scans we've seen of him," Solskjaer said of Varane. "It's a blow for us. Raphael has come in and been really, really influential. Eric came in last time and was excellent. That's why we have a big squad and cope with absentees.
"Lindelof? He's still a doubt, but hopefully, he can come back in tomorrow and say that he's ready. I would expect him to be ready, to put it that way, but I can't promise you."
United host City in their first home game since the 5-0 thrashing by Liverpool and they have responded to that dark day by beating Tottenham and earning a creditable draw with Atalanta.
Solskjaer has presided over four victories over Manchester City from his eight derbies as manager and United are unbeaten in their last four Premier League fixtures against Pep Guardiola's side.
"We've moved on from [Liverpool]. Of course, it's going to be in the history books but we've had a good week, with good results away from home, difficult games and the mindset is positive.
"We've got to go in this game believing we can do good things. It's a local derby and everyone knows what's at stake.
"It's a special one, the last time we had a Manchester derby with fans in the stadium the atmosphere was electric, I think everyone will still remember that one probably more so than any dark moments we had.
"When Scott [McTominay] scored that goal in the extra-time it was a special moment. It's a one-off game, it's one of those you have to start on the front foot, start ready, because a lot of it depends on who gets on the front foot."
"The team is very close together and they know they need each other, it's team bonding and the team spirit is important. We've got a great canteen up here but are probably fed up with (chef) Mike's food!"
Confirmed United squad members
David de Gea, Dean Henderson, Tom Heaton, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Eric Bailly, Luke Shaw, Alex Telles, Scott McTominay, Nemanja Matic, Fred, Donny van de Beek, Bruno Fernandes, Juan Mata, Jesse Lingard, Jadon Sancho, Cristiano Ronaldo, Anthony Martial, Mason Greenwood
Note: Marcus Rashford was not spotted arriving with the team by photographers but it is possible he may have arrived separately
