Manchester sides without key stars for Champions League games

Manchester United and Manchester City are both facing selection problems ahead of their Champions League clashes in mid-week. United host Young Boys while City are in France to face Olympique Lyonnais.

The blue side of Manchester have seven players currently out including five first-team members. Benjamin Mendy being the most recent player to be ruled out following a knee injury suffered in the Manchester derby.

Gabriel Jesus, İlkay Gündoğan, Bernando Silva and Kevin De Bruyne are also currently on the sidelines. De Bruyne has been out for the majority of the season with a knee ligament injury having only managed to feature five times for his side.

Silva is expected back soon although Pep Guardiola could opt for youngster Phil Foden to be part of the City midfield.

As for the Red Devils, they have four defenders that are currently injured, though Diogo Dalot is expected to be able to return following his knock.

It has been confirmed that Marcus Rojo, Matteo Darmain and Victor Lindelöf will all miss the game, with the later is expected to be out for most of December but it is still not known how serious the Swede’s groin injury is.

José Mourinho also confirmed that Eric Bailly is back from injury and is likely to start against their Swiss opponents.

This good news comes after Paul Pogba, Romelu Lukaku and Anthony Martial all returned to play against Crystal Palace.

United beat Young Boys when the two met at Stade de Suisse in September as The Red Devils won 3-0 courtesy of a Pogba double with the other being scored by Martial.

City need a win to qualify while United could win and still have to wait to qualify if Juventus lose to Valencia, though a draw would mean they are through.