Man Utd confirm major injury boost ahead of Man City trip but key man ruled out

Manchester United will be looking to close in on the top four with a positive result against Manchester City at the Etihad on Saturday evening.

Ahead of the game, boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been speaking to the media at his pre-match press conference this morning and he’s provided a team news and injury update including the latest on the fitness of Anthony Martial and Paul Pogba.

Martial missed Wednesday night’s 2-1 victory over Tottenham after suffering a muscle injury during United’s 2-2 draw with Aston Villa last weekend and he was initially expected to be on the sidelines for ‘a while’.

However, it appears Martial has made a remarkable recovery as Solskjaer has now revealed the Frenchman will be back in the squad to face Man City this weekend – although he may only be deemed fit enough for a place on the bench.

Martial’s availability will be a big boost to Manchester United as the 24-year-old will give Solskjaer another top class option in attack this weekend, however, the news isn’t so positive on Pogba.

The midfielder has recently returned to training following a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a niggling ankle injury that’s hampered him since the 1-1 draw with Arsenal in late September.

Pogba had hoped to make his return for the Manchester derby on Saturday but Solskjaer says the game will come too soon for the Frenchman – although he hopes to have him available again before the New Year.

Solskjaer told ManUtd.com:

“We hope to have Anthony, definitely, for part of the game. I am not sure he is able to start.”

“Paul probably won’t be available, no. We expect him back as soon as possible, as quickly as possible. He’s out on the grass training. I said [he’ll be back] in 2019, so hopefully we’ll see him before the new year, definitely.”

Solskjaer didn’t provide any update on Nemanja Matic despite previously suggesting the midfielder could be available this weekend after recovering from a muscle injury so it remains to be seen whether he’ll be in the squad tomorrow.

However, Scott McTominay will be in contention after making a successful return to action for Man Utd during the win over Spurs. Elsewhere, Eric Bailly, Tim Fosu-Mensah and Diogo Dalot are still working their way back to full fitness.

Man Utd head to the Etihad sitting sixth in the Premier League table – eight points behind fourth placed Chelsea – so they desperately need a positive result against City to stay in touch with the top four.