Manchester City, Manchester United Suffer Key Defender Injuries Ahead of Derby

Manchester City and Manchester United face significant injury challenges ahead of their upcoming derby match. City centre-back John Stones withdrew from the England squad due to muscle issues, adding to the club’s injury concerns, with manager Thomas Tuchel opting not to risk him in World Cup qualifiers. Meanwhile, Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot has pulled out of the Portugal squad with muscle discomfort, casting doubt on his availability for the derby. United also have concerns over Matheus Cunha and Mason Mount, who sustained injuries during their recent match against Burnley, and Lisandro Martínez remains sidelined with a serious knee injury. These setbacks leave both teams managing key defensive absences as they prepare for their critical Premier League fixture. Managers Pep Guardiola and Ruben Amorim will need to assess fitness updates closely before the match at the Etihad Stadium.