The Manchester Evening News has reported that two Manchester United midfielders are nowhere to be seen ahead of the huge match against Premier League leaders City.

[MATCHCAST: Manchester United v Manchester City]

United’s players always meet at the Lowry hotel ahead of a match at Old Trafford, and apparently both Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Ander Herrera were not present, according to the report.

“M.E.N. photographers did not spot Henrikh Mkhitaryan with his team-mates and he is expected to miss out on a squad place for the sixth time in the last seven.”

Mkhitaryan last started a match for United in the Premier League on November 5 in the 1-0 defeat to Chelsea, and it does not look as though he is in favour at all with Jose Mourinho.

As for Herrera…

“M.E.N. photographers did not spot Ander Herrera as the squad arrived at The Lowry Hotel on Sunday morning. Mourinho gave players permission to spend the night before the derby at home but it is understood Luke Shaw and Ashley Young checked in on Saturday night to maintain their pre-match routine so it’s possible Herrera also arrived earlier.”

Given that Paul Pogba is suspended for the derby clash, the absence of Herrera would be much more surprising.

Of course, this could all be some elaborate ploy to mislead Pep Guardiola into not planning for the match-wrecking abilities of the duo, but we will have to wait and see.