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Manchester United striker Robin van Persie has been ruled out of Sunday's derby against local rivals Manchester City.
The Dutchman has not played since United's 2-1 defeat at Swansea on 21 Februay, a run of six games in all competitions.
However, in his absence Wayne Rooney has excelled alongside Marouane Fellaini up front and Louis van Gaal's team have won all of their five Premier League games, losing just one in that time in the FA Cup against Arsenal.
Speaking at his press conference, Van Gaal confirmed that Van Persie was back in training but would not be ready in time for the game.
He also said that he will wait before making a decision on Luke Shaw and Chris Smalling, who have also missed recent games through injury.
Show all 11 1 /11Manchester United vs Manchester City combined XI Manchester United vs Manchester City combined XI GK: David De Gea Joe Hart is getting back to his very best but the Spaniard has been the form goalkeeper in the Premier League this season. Behind a dodgy defence De Gea has performed heroics for Van Gaal on numerous occasions.
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Manchester United vs Manchester City combined XI RB: Pablo Zabaleta Zabaleta is not the guaranteed starter he once was, with Bacary Sagna playing more often since the turn of the year. We're not sure why as the Argentinian is far superior to the Frenchman and a real driving force for this team. Antonio Valencia is not a right-back and could be a weak link City wish to exploit.
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Manchester United vs Manchester City combined XI CB: Martin Demichelis Vincent Kompany is the big name absence from this combined XI. Obviously the Belgian is the best centre-back either side can field but he is performing nowhere near his best. Demichelis gets a bad rap but he has actually been pretty reliable for City, although he is prone to the odd clanger.
Manchester United vs Manchester City combined XI CB: Marcos Rojo Chris Smalling's recent form would have seen him in this team but injury while on England duty means he remains a doubt. Phil Jones is too unreliable leaving Rojo as the only other option. He has been decent if not outstanding since his arrival and Van Gaal desperately needs an upgrade at the position.
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Manchester United vs Manchester City combined XI LB: Daley Blind Looks much more effective as a left-back than he does in the middle of midfield, the Dutchman is a stout defender and good going forward. Both Gael Clichy and Aleksandar Kolarov have severe limitations, especially on the back-foot.
Manchester United vs Manchester City combined XI RM: Juan Mata How he was out of the side for so long will remain a mystery. Mata might be weak and a bit of a liability defensively but he is one of the cleverest and most gifted players in the world. Jesus Navas has shown flashes but never really impressed for a long spell since his move to City.
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Manchester United vs Manchester City combined XI CM: Michael Carrick You don't know what you've got until it's gone. Carrick has his share of critics but the stats speak for themselves; United have lost 29 per cent of their games with Carrick out of the team and only seven with him in it. Yaya Toure scored just his second goal of 2015 on Monday and is one of the biggest disappointments of the season considering his great form last year.
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Manchester United vs Manchester City combined XI CM: Ander Herrera After a perplexing spell out of the team, Van Gaal has finally decided that Herrera is his best midfield option. Offers drive, great vision and combative tackling next to Carrick and more than capable of chipping in with a goal. Fernandinho can be good on his day but again lacks any kind of consistency.
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Manchester United vs Manchester City combined XI LM: David Silva Manchester United's first priority will be to stop the brilliant Spaniard - do that and you are halfway to beating City. Ashley Young is Manchester United's most improved player this season and a real threat on the left but Silva is a maestro.
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Manchester United vs Manchester City combined XI ST: Sergio Aguero Aguero scored 19 goals before his injury and only four since returning. The goals have dried up and so has City's title threat. Despite his desperate form and lack of fitness he is still one of the best around. Marouane Fellaini had found his worth as a bruiser for Van Gaal but he too has limitations.
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Manchester United vs Manchester City combined XI ST: Wayne Rooney Since he moved back up front he has six goals in his last eight matches and has proved to Van Gaal just what he was missing. Rooney is in red hot form and will be Manchester United's main goal threat on Sunday. Edin Dzeko has struggled all season and Wilfried Bony has been injured since his arrival.
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