Man United injury list: Players out, potential return dates, predicted lineup for next game vs. Man City

Michael Carrick begins his potentially short spell as Manchester United head coach with the small matter of a derby with Manchester City on Saturday.

Ruben Amorim was sacked on January 5, the day after a 1-1 draw at Leeds United after which the Portuguese went public with his apparent frustrations at the way things were being done at the club.

Darren Fletcher took charge for Wednesday's 2-2 Premier League draw at Burnley and the 2-1 FA Cup third-round defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion — a result that effectively ended any remaining hope of silverware this season.

Now, Carrick will be tasked with leading the charge towards UEFA Champions League qualification and a desperate attempt to salvage something from another miserable season at Old Trafford.

Here is how their injury list looks, when they can expect players to be back, and what their predicted lineup looks like for their next game.

MORE: Does top at Christmas mean the title?

Man United injury list

Below is the latest injury picture for Man United, and estimated return dates for those who are sidelined.

Matthijs de Ligt

• Injury: Lower back
• Expected return date: February

Amorim said De Ligt had been suffering back pain following the 2-1 win at Crystal Palace on November 30, and the centre-back has not made the matchday squad since. There has been little update on his condition, so he is not expected back imminently.

Shea Lacey

• Suspended: One game
• Expected return date: January 25 (vs. Arsenal)

Promising youngster Lacey was sent off in the cup loss to Brighton. He was booked for a poor challenge and then shown a second yellow card soon afterwards for throwing the ball to the ground in frustration. Lacey is banned for the City game but will be back for the trip to Arsenal.

Unavailable: Noussair Mazraoui

Amad Diallo, Mazraoui and Bryan Mbeumo have been away at the Africa Cup of Nations. With Ivory Coast and Cameroon out, both Amad and Mbeumo are expected to be available, having returned to training at Carrington on Wednesday. With Morocco in the final, Mazraoui will miss the City game.

Man United predicted lineup vs. Man City

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Lammens (GK)

Dalot, Heaven, Martinez, Shaw

Mainoo, Ugarte

Amad, Fernandes, Cunha

Sesko

Man United fixture schedule: Next five games

After the derby, United head to Premier League leaders Arsenal before back-to-back home games against Fulham and Tottenham.

• Man United vs. Man City | Premier League | Saturday, January 17
• Arsenal vs. Man United | Premier League | Sunday, January 25
• Man United vs. Fulham | Premier League | Sunday, February 1
• Man United vs. Tottenham | Premier League | Saturday, February 7
• West Ham vs. Man United | Premier League | Tuesday, February 10