Cristiano Ronaldo has been ruled out of today’s Manchester derby through a hip injury.
Doubts first emerged over Ronaldo’s fitness on Saturday night when he was absent from the Manchester United squad when they arrived at their hotel.
And United have confirmed Ronaldo will not feature in the game at the Etihad Stadium.
There is also no Raphael Varane, Edinson Cavani or Luke Shaw in the United squad.
“We had two Covid cases in midweek, with Rafa and with Luke,” said United interim boss Ralf Rangnick. “Cristiano had some problems with his hip flexor again on Friday and that is why they are not available.”
Captain Harry Maguire returns at centre-back in place of Varane as Ralf Rangnick makes three changes to the team held to a goalless draw by Watford last weekend.
Elsewhere, Scott McTominay comes in for Nemanja Matic in midfield, and Jadon Sancho fills the void left up top by Ronaldo.
Manchester United confirmed XI: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Telles, McTominay, Fred, Elanga, Fernandes, Pogba, Sancho.
Subs: Henderson, Bailly, Jones, Mata, Rashford, Lingard, Dalot, Matic, Mejbri.
Manchester City confirmed XI: Ederson, Cancelo, Laporte, Stones, Walker, Rodri, Silva, De Bruyne, Mahrez, Foden, Grealish.
Subs: Carson, Sterling, Gundogan, Jesus, Zinchenko, Fernandino, Delap, Mbete, McAtee.
