MANCHESTER UNITED have been given a major boost with Kevin De Bruyne ruled out of Wednesday night’s derby.
The Belgian playmaker, 27, picked up a hamstring injury in Saturday’s nervy win over Tottenham and is out of the monster Manchester derby.
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De Bruyne injured his hamstring against Spurs, but reports claim he did not further damage his troublesome left knee.
The news will come as a blow to Pep Guardiola but a massive lift for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The Norwegian boss’ torrid run at the wheel continued on Sunday as United were thumped 4-0 at the hands of Everton.
Now the Red Devils face an almighty scrap to break into the top four – and now sit sixth in the Premier League.
EURO OH NO
A win would go a long way to helping United in their fight to break into next season’s Champions League.
Should they finish sixth, they may even need to qualify for the Europa League – if Watford beat City in the FA Cup final.
Currently, United sit just two points adrift of fourth-placed Arsenal and one point further away from Tottenham in third.
While Solskjaer and Co know a win would help their European case, it would also hand fierce rivals Liverpool the upper-hand in the race for the Premier League title.
Following United’s incredible capitulation at Everton, Solskjaer was left with no other option bu to apologise for his team’s dreadful afternoon.
The Norwegian said: We were beaten on all aspects today and the only place we beat Everton – I can’t say we beat them – but we had a fantastic support.
“I just want to apologise for the performance we turned out.”
