{"id":363109,"date":"2026-01-10T17:40:10","date_gmt":"2026-01-10T17:40:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/363109\/"},"modified":"2026-01-10T17:40:10","modified_gmt":"2026-01-10T17:40:10","slug":"man-united-could-be-handed-double-blow-for-manchester-derby-as-major-outcome-looms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/363109\/","title":{"rendered":"Man United could be handed double blow for Manchester derby as major outcome looms"},"content":{"rendered":"

Manchester United’s squad has been severely stretched in recent weeks as they prepare for Sunday’s FA Cup clash against Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford\"Manchester<\/p>\n

Man United interim boss Darren Fletcher could be faced with a double blow if he stays in charge for the Manchester derby(Image: Visionhaus\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Manchester United are facing a double blow ahead of the Manchester derby on Saturday, January 17. Amad and Noussair Mazraoui are the only two Reds<\/a> stars currently away at the Africa Cup of Nations after Bryan Mbeumo’s Cameroon lost to Mazraoui’s Morocco on Friday night.<\/p>\n

Amad will be in action for the Ivory Coast against Egypt on Saturday night. If the Ivorians win, they will progress to a semi-final against Senegal on January 14, just three days before the Manchester derby, putting Amad’s participation in that match against Manchester City<\/a> in doubt.<\/p>\n

A further blow would see City’s Omar Marmoush return as the Egyptians would then have been eliminated. Amad’s absence in particular during the past few weeks has been a major problem for the Reds.<\/p>\n

The 23-year-old’s guile and creativity has been sorely missed for a team that have drawn their previous three matches. That may now change with the return of Bruno Fernandes from injury and Mbeumo’s arrival back from Afcon – which should see him return to the squad against City next weekend.<\/p>\n

Injuries and Afcon enforced-absentees mean that United’s squad is still being stretched ahead of Sunday’s FA Cup<\/a> third round clash against Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Noussair<\/p>\n

Noussair Mazraoui is challenged by Bryan Mbeumo(Image: AP Photo\/Mosa’ab Elshamy)<\/p>\n

However, centre-back Harry Maguire, who was back on the bench in midweek against Burnley, could make his first appearance since early November.<\/p>\n

“He’s been out for a while so we will be looking at his load and things like that,” interim boss Darren Fletcher said in his pre-match press conference.<\/p>\n

“A decision has not been made [on his minutes] but when you see the players coming back the other night, you have seen Mason [Mount], Kobbie [Mainoo], Bruno [Fernandes], there has to be some understanding with their first minutes may have to be careful with that process to build back in. So I think Harry will be in that situation for the weekend.”<\/p>\n

On Mainoo, who has only started one game this season and was linked with a move away before Amorim’s sacking, Fletcher added: “He seems in a good place.<\/p>\n

“Kobbie doesn’t give you much so you wouldn’t know if he was in a good place or not.<\/p>\n

“He’s like that, it’s just his natural way, I know him well and I have known him for a long time, I’ve seen him around the building and had conversations with him.<\/p>\n

“He’s in a good place, but I know Kobbie and he knows me and (assistant) Travis Binnion and he’s comfortable with this environment.<\/p>\n

“He is in a good place, he’s trained well and as I say he is hard to read, so that remains to be seen.”<\/p>\n

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