Manchester United defender Antonio Valencia may miss the derby with rivals Manchester City, as he is set to make a late return after the international break.
Valencia is currently on international duty with Ecuador but won’t return until next Friday, rendering him a doubt for the game at home to City the following day.
The versatile full-back is playing in a set of 2018 World Cup qualifiers, with Ecuador fourth in the CONMEBOL table.
As reported by the Guardian, United manager Jose Mourinho said: “Some are coming back on the Monday before the Manchester City match but some are coming back on Friday.
“The day before Man City, we will still have Sergio Romero, Marcos Rojo and Antonio Valencia arriving.
“It will be a complicated process but we know it is like this when we have these players.
“I would love all of the players to go because it would mean everybody is being selected for their national teams.”
Valencia’s expected absence means that Mourinho may have to call upon Matteo Darmian at right-back for the game against Pep Guardiola’s side.
The United manager will be frustrated at the situation, especially with Valencia having made a significant impact in the early stages of this season.
Although he has spent the majority of his career as a winger, Valencia has filled in expertly at right-back this season and has also provided a regular attacking threat, registering a pass accuracy of 90% in the Premier League.
United have made an excellent start to the season, winning all three of their matches so far, but they face a tough task against City, who also boast a 100% record this term.
City will, however, be without Sergio Aguero, who has been banned for three games after he was charged with the FA for appearing to elbow West Ham United’s Winston Reid on Sunday.
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