Shaw a doubt as United and City count injury costs ahead of Old Trafford derby

Manchester United host Manchester City at Old Trafford on Sunday in the Premier League derby, with both clubs managing notable injury lists ahead of one of the season’s most anticipated fixtures.

United manager Michael Carrick faces the most pressing uncertainty over Luke Shaw. The left-back was left out of the midweek Champions League win as a precaution, and Carrick remained guarded when asked whether Shaw would be fit in time. “We’ll have to see,” Carrick said. “We just kind of looked after him a little bit going into tonight. He wasn’t quite ready for it 100%, so we didn’t risk it. We’ll see how he is over the next couple of days or so.”

Beyond Shaw, United have a longer list of confirmed absentees. Amad Diallo has yet to return to training after picking up an injury last month, while Carlos Baleba — signed from Brighton in the summer — has still not made his debut due to an ankle problem sustained before his transfer. Matthijs de Ligt is making progress from a back injury that has kept him out since November, but is not expected to feature on Sunday. Manuel Ugarte remains sidelined with a knee injury, and goalkeeper Tom Heaton has no set return date after suffering a hamstring problem earlier in the season.

City, meanwhile, will be without Jeremy Doku, who is continuing his recovery from a calf injury. “Jeremy, I think he needs some more days,” City manager Enzo Maresca told reporters on Friday. On a more positive note for City, Nico O’Reilly is expected to be available after recovering from the back injury that kept him out of their Champions League win over Porto in midweek.

Both clubs arrive at the derby in contrasting recent league form. United drew with Everton in their last Premier League outing, while City beat Coventry. Each side then claimed a Champions League victory in midweek, setting up a high-stakes meeting with both desperate to take three points.