Manchester United knows they must perform better against the Blues as they head into the 191st local derby against City, having won three straight games in all competitions.

In the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, Erik ten Hag’s team defeated FC Copenhagen, but only because Andre Onana made a thrilling penalty save in the last seconds of the Group A match.

The two alterations to the starting lineup that night were Raphael Varane and Sergio Reguilon. However, Casemiro is now available again after missing the European match due to suspension after taking a knock while playing for Brazil internationally.

“It’s a race against the clock,” Ten Hag conceded during his press conference prior to the game. “He is not 100 per cent.”

In his interview with club media, the manager went into further detail, saying: “He’ll do everything he can to be involved and get the game started, but we’ll have to wait and see.” We still have a few hours left.

Regarding right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who is still working toward being fully fit, there is positive news.

“Yes, Aaron was in training today,” the manager told reporters at Carrington.

For the Reds, Tyrell Malacia, Amad, Luke Shaw, and Lisandro Martinez are still out.

“Not many changes have been made to the squad,” Ten Hag acknowledged to Mark Sullivan of MUTV.

CITY’S TEAM NEWS

Playmaker Kevin De Bruyne is sidelined with an injury, and defender Manuel Akanji is suspended for Pep Guardiola’s team.

The England international Phil Foden’s health raised some minor concerns for the Blues in the middle of the week, but Julian Alvarez—who was listed as doubtful—did come off the bench in the team’s 3-1 Champions League triumph over Young Boys.

Although Jack Grealish hasn’t started a league game since August, Guardiola acknowledged that he was happy with the player’s performance in Switzerland.

Though Rodri’s return from suspension has helped City get back on track, they are now two points behind Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League standings.

Guardiola remarked, “United are always a tough, tough opponent.” “We know the quality they have, there is no doubt about that.”