Manchester United defender Victor Lindelof remains a doubt for the clash against Manchester City, leaving Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with a possible selection headache at the back for Saturday’s derby.
Lindelof missed the 2-2 draw with Atalanta midweek with a minor injury.
United’s woes at the back grew that evening with Raphael Varane forced off with a knock that will sideline the Frenchman until December.
Following the dismal 5-0 defeat to Liverpool, Solskjaer switched his formation to a more robust 3-5-2 but with two options at the back unavailable, the United boss may have to abandon that system for the visit of Pep Guardiola’s side.
Solskjaer has Harry Maguire and Eric Bailly available and could turn to Luke Shaw or Aaron Wan-Bissaka to fill in as a third centre-half if he does retain the new system.
‘He’s still a doubt,” Solskjaer said of Lindelof during Friday’s press conference.
‘Hopefully he can come back in tomorrow and say he’s ready. I would expect him to be ready, put it that way, but I can’t promise you.’
On Varane, Solskjaer added: ‘With all the technology now, we expect him to be out for four or five weeks with the pictures we’ve seen.
‘Eric came in last time and was excellent, that’s why we have a big squad and can cope with absentees at the time.’
United trail defending champions City by three points heading into Saturday’s derby at Old Trafford.