Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has confirmed Kobbie Mainoo could return from injury for Sunday's derby against Manchester City at Old Trafford.
The midfielder has been unavailable since February with a muscular problem, missing each of United's last nine matches across all competitions. Amorim has said there is a chance he could make the bench.
However, United could find themselves without Matthijs de Ligt after he sustained an apparent ankle injury against Nottingham Forest on Tuesday night. The Dutchman rolled his ankle in the first half but managed to play on, completing the full 90 minutes.
Amorim has said his situation will be "assessed" ahead of Sunday's visit of Pep Guardiola's side.
Fortunately, Amorim did not report any other injury concerns during his pre-match press conference at Carrington on Friday lunchtime, meaning it looks as though he will largely be picking from the same pool of players that were available at the City Ground.
You can recap everything Amorim had to say in his press conference via the blog below...
Key Events
Amorim on De Bruyne leaving City
Amorim on injury news
George Smith
That's all
We're calling time on our coverage of Ruben Amorim's pre-match press conference here, folks.
Thank you to those of you who have tuned in to learn the thoughts of the United head coach ahead of Sunday's derby at Old Trafford.
Ahead of Sunday's big game, continue to check out the Manchester Evening News website for all the latest build-up, news and plenty of analysis.
Take care.
George Smith
FULL STORY: Amorim reveals he wants 'one or two big' signings
Ruben Amorim wants "one or two big players" to reinforce United's squad in the summer but has reiterated he will not get as much time as Sir Alex Ferguson had to transform the club.
United host City in the third Manchester derby of the season on Sunday with the team still in 13th in the Premier League table after taking 22 points from 19 games under Amorim.
Amorim told the media this lunchtime:
"I understand, I'm not naive, what I don't want is sometimes it's for me, we need a lot of years to be competitive. I cannot think like that, I cannot manage that, it's not in me. "
Click here to read more from the United boss.
George Smith
FULL STORY: United issue mixed injury update ahead of derby day
Kobbie Mainoo could return for United against City on Sunday but Matthijs de Ligt is a doubt.
Mainoo has been sidelined for two months with a muscular injury but is in contention to make the bench for the Old Trafford derby.
Amorim said:
"I think Kobbie is returning to training, so we will see, we will assess for this game. He cannot play a full game, it’s a long time without training. I think Matthijs has an issue, it's something during the game that we have to assess. The rest is normal."
Click here to read the full story.
George Smith
That's a wrap!
That concludes the open section of Ruben Amorim's pre-match press conference. Stay tuned to the Manchester Evening News website for more stories and reaction.
George Smith
Amorim on how the likes of Newcastle and Aston Villa have gone up as United have gone down
"The focus must be on how to improve our team in every aspect. Of course, the Premier League is so different. People say Sir Alex Ferguson took two or three times to win something... it is completely different nowadays. The pressure is different. No matter the context, we need to be there [at the top]. We will have to say a lot of adversity and big teams."
George Smith
Amorim on the task of catching City and others
"Not just Manchester City but other teams, they are already in a place where we need a lot to catch them. I just want to focus on our strengths and use our club to bring one or two big players [in]. We are doing all the stuff to be so much better next season. If it is going to take four years [win the Premier League], I don't know. Next season we need to be so much better."
George Smith
Is it realistic United can win the title in 2028?
"Of course, I understand and I am not naive. Sometimes, it is for me. I cannot manage that [the expectation]. I know that we are not going to be the biggest contender in the next year or two years. We are doing a lot of things. Sometimes we have changed players because they have had to adjust to our new standards. We have to change a lot of things, we have changed a lot of staff, we have changed things inside the club. I cannot say we need a lot of years - I cannot manage that. I am not saying we are going to win the title in the next year - I am not crazy. Next year, we are suffering a lot to be so much better."
George Smith
Amorim on if Mount can start
"Yes, he is fit enough to start, but we must manage him. Mason has trained a lot of times, getting the load in his body. Sometimes the mind is more important than the body. He is fit to play and we will see on Sunday."
George Smith
Amorim on if the City win is his highlight as United boss
"I don't see one win as a special moment. Special moments are to win titles. Even if the third divison, you can beat the best team in the division."
George Smith
Amorim on City's problems
"I am more focused on our problems; I think we have bigger problems than Manchester City. They had problems in that run. They have improved. They have maybe the best coach in the world. They have top players. It will be a difficult match. I am so focused on improving my team, I am not focused on City's improvements."
KEY EVENT
Amorim on De Bruyne leaving City
"That is easy. He was like one of the best midfielders in the Premier League. The time passes to everyone so that is a natural thing. He improved the league. He was on the wrong side of Manchester! I wish him good luck."
George Smith
Amorim on Garnacho
"I think he is doing the right things. Like any player in our team, he has to choose better in the last third. Bruno [Fernandes] is the only one scoring goals easily. Garnacho needs to improve the way he runs, the way he defends, scores and assists. He is improving."
George Smith
Amorim on wanting to climb the table
"We want to win this game, we want to improve in the league table and especially we want to win games. We are going to have full focus on this game."
KEY EVENT
Amorim on injury news
"I think Kobbie is returning to training, so we will assess [him] ahead of the game. He cannot play a full game. I think Matthijs [De Ligt] has an issue."
George Smith
Embargo lifted
The embargo has been lifted and we can now bring you updates from Ruben Amorim.
George Smith
Amorim coming up
We will be able to bring you quotes from Ruben Amorim in FIVE minutes time.
Stay tuned to see what he has to say ahead of Sunday's derby, including all of the very latest team news.
Remember: updates will appear automatically, meaning there is no need to refresh the page.
George Smith
Will Mount start?
Mason Mount is a player that has earned plenty of praise from Ruben Amorim without really doing much since the Portuguese chief arrived at Old Trafford back in November.
Injury issues have plagued Mount's United career since he arrived from Chelsea in July 2023, meaning he is yet to show what he can do on a regular basis.
However, he made his return from his latest injury at Nottingham Forest on Tuesday night and will be pushing for his first start since the previous derby on Sunday afternoon.
Amorim may be asked this lunchtime if he is fit enough to be in contention to make the starting XI for the first time in almost four months.
George Smith
The last five Manchester derbies at Old Trafford
Ahead of Sunday's all-Manchester showdown at Old Trafford, here is a reminder of how the last five meetings between United and City have unfolded in M16:
- 29/10/2023: United 0-3 City - Premier League
- 14/1/2023: United 2-1 City - Premier League
- 6/11/2021: United 0-2 City - Premier League
- 6/1/2021: United 0-2 City - League Cup
- 12/12/2020: United 0-0 City - Premier League
George Smith
What time is Amorim due to speak?
Ruben Amorim is scheduled to start speaking to the media at 1.15pm this lunchtime, meaning he should be sitting down with us in the next half hour or so.
However, his comments will be embargoed until 1.30pm, meaning we will not be able to bring you anything until then.
Keep the blog locked for all the very latest updates.
George Smith
OPINION: Amorim has the green light to unleash what could become United's first-choice attack
"Bruno Fernandes' recent transition to the centre of midfield, Alejandro Garnacho's indifferent form, Kobbie Mainoo's absence and Joshua Zirkzee's recent positional switches mean that Mason Mount has come back into the equation at just the right time. With Amad still sidelined, neither of the two No.10 positions have a guaranteed occupier, meaning Mount must be feeling confident of bagging his first start since the reverse clash with City on Sunday afternoon. Ruben Amorim has lauded the former Chelsea man so much that it feels inevitable he will get the chance between now and the end of the season, provided he can stay fit, to prove why. Mount has achieved a lot in a relatively short career so far and will be determined to show United's fans what he can bring to the table after an injury-plagued opening two seasons at the club."
Click here to read more from United writer George Smith.
George Smith
Pre-derby announcement
Ahead of Sunday's derby at Old Trafford, City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has announced he is leaving the club at the end of this season.
He joined City back in 2015 and has made more than 400 appearances for the club.
Dear Manchester. pic.twitter.com/2EdhVYOLti
— Kevin De Bruyne (@KevinDeBruyne) April 4, 2025
Steven Railston
OPINION: 'Better than me' - Guardiola has something to prove against Amorim
"When Pep Guardiola gives compliments to colleagues, it usually suggests that the opposite number isn't actually doing a good job. The City boss can be sarcastic when speaking to journalists in press conferences and he said Amorim was "much better" than him when he was appointed in November. Guardiola's comments were respectful, it's important to note, and Ruben Amorim has actually won twice, drawn once and lost once in the four times that he's managed against the 54-year-old. Sporting Lisbon were hammered 5-0 against City in February 2022 but Sporting drew 0-0 in the reverse fixture at the Etihad. Amorim subsequently masterminded a 4-1 victory over City in November just gone, and that was his penultimate game in charge before his United arrival."
Click here to read more from United writer Steven Railston.
George Smith
Fernandes wins Premier League award
Bruno Fernandes has won the Premier League's Player of the Month award for March.
Despite the March schedule only consisting of a maximum of two games for the majority of Premier League clubs, Fernandes scored two goals and claimed two assists, helping United draw 1-1 with Arsenal and beat Leicester City 3-0.
It is Fernandes' first Premier League Player of the Month award since December 2020.
Click here to read more.
George Smith
United have nothing to lose on derby day
Currently sitting 13th in the Premier League table with eight games left, there is no doubt that next Thursday's Europa League quarter-final first leg against Lyon is the biggest priority within the next week for United.
Of course, everybody associated with United will arrive at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon with the ambition of beating City and securing a first league double since the 2019/20 campaign, not least the supporters.
United have the opportunity to put a dent in City's top four ambitions and hit the 40-point mark. But with the Europa League having to take priority, you can probably get away with saying United are not under any sort of pressure on Sunday.
Yes, they will want to win - and that will be the aim - but there will be more pressure riding on the game with Lyon in France four days later.
George Smith
United's last five results
United's 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Tuesday night marked their first defeat in their last five matches, meaning Ruben Amorim will be hoping it proves to be nothing more than a minor blip.
Here is a reminder of United's last five results:
- Nottingham Forest 1-0 United - Premier League
- Leicester City 0-3 United - Premier League
- United 4-1 Real Sociedad - Europa League
- United 1-1 Arsenal - Premier League
- Real Sociedad 1-1 United - Europa League
George Smith
What is on the agenda?
United head coach Ruben Amorim is expected to be asked about a plethora of topics ahead of Sunday's derby this lunchtime.
Here is a flavour of what could be up for discussion;
- Latest injury news
- Post-Nottingham Forest reaction
- A lack of goals
- A first experience of the derby at Old Trafford
- Winning the derby for the fans
- Chances of Mason Mount starting
- Attacking conundrum
George Smith
Good morning!
Hello and welcome along to the Manchester Evening News' live coverage of United head coach Ruben Amorim's pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday's derby against City.
The United chief will speak to the media this lunchtime to look ahead to his second experience of the Manchester derby and issue an update on the latest team news.
We will, as ever, bring you everything he has to say in this dedicated press conference LIVE blog.
There is no need to refresh the page, updates will appear automatically.
