Man Utd injuries: Every player out of Manchester derby vs Man City

Manchester United are hardly the only club to suffer from a spate of injuries this season. As Erik ten Hag conceded when reflecting on the ever-expanding calendar across the game: "The load on the players is too much."

However, only one Premier League club - Newcastle United - have lost more players to the treatment room than Ten Hag's depleted Red Devils this term. Ahead of Sunday's Manchester derby, United had sustained a total of 28 separate injuries.

Here are the players who have not recovered in time for a daunting trip to Manchester City's Etihad Stadium.

Goalkeepers & defenders

United's injuries this season have been concentrated on the club's backline. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the ever-changing rearguard in front of Andre Onana has scarcely protected their goalkeeper - only three Premier League clubs have conceded more shots than United this season.

Ten Hag will be without a complete back four for Sunday's showdown with City. Luke Shaw and Lisandro Martinez have been battling through fitness issues throughout the season. While an unfortunate tangle of legs with West Ham United's Vladimir Coufal curtailed Martinez's return, Shaw was swiftly ushered back onto the sidelines after rushing through his recovery from a muscular problem and may not appear again this season.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka's reintegration into the first team has been repeatedly delayed by various knocks and niggles sustained during training sessions. Harry Maguire scored United's equaliser against Fulham last weekend but was ruled out of the narrow FA Cup victory over Nottingham Forest on Wednesday with an unspecified injury. The towering centre-back will not be available for the trip to the Etihad, joining long-term absentee Tyrell Malacia in a crowded treatment room.

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Midfielders

Mason Mount's debut United campaign began to derail after just the second game of the season. The former Chelsea midfielder fought his way back to fitness after a month-long layoff only to pull up again in November.

Ten Hag has been painfully vague about the exact nature of Mount's injury but insists that the £60m arrival "is a very good player for us". There have been precious few opportunities for the 25-year-old to justify his manager's faith.

Despite leaving the club in January, emergency left-back Sergio Reguilon has played more minutes for United this season than Mount, who won't add to his pitiful tally at the Etihad.

Forwards

Gone are the days when United had four elite centre-forwards to call upon. With both Anthony Martial and Rasmus Hojlund shackled to the sideline, United don't have one senior striker available for the upcoming derby.

Ten Hag had seen this issue coming after the club failed to make any additions during the January transfer window, warning that he may have "to be a little bit creative".

Teenager Omari Forson was handed his full senior debut against Fulham last weekend but an anonymous and nervy display was cut short after 52 minutes. Antony - who Ten Hag oddly labelled "unstoppable" despite failing to register a single Premier League goal or assist this season - returned to the side against Forest and may well retain his starting berth against City.

Martial could be out until the end of March after undergoing groin surgery but Hojlund is expected back from a "small injury" within a matter of weeks. Yet, not soon enough to appear in the derby.

Man Utd players missing for Manchester derby vs Man City

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