Marouane Fellaini available for Manchester derby following injury return

Manchester United have been handed a massive boost ahead of their clash against Manchester City on Saturday (10 September) following Marouane Fellaini's recovery from a back injury. The midfielder missed Belgium's friendly against Spain, but featured for his country during their 2018 World Cup qualifier against Cyprus, which they won 3-0 on Tuesday (6 September).

Manchester Evening News reports that the midfielder, who suffered the injury during the Red Devils' last gasp win over Hull City prior to the international break, is set to start when the Etihad Stadium outfit visit at the weekend. Fellaini is yet to miss a single minute of Premier League football this season after establishing himself as a vital cog in Jose Mourinho's midfield at Old Trafford.

The Portuguese manager had confirmed the Belgium international's injury and admitted that it was a bad one following their win against the Tigers. Mourinho was expecting the midfielder to be sidelined for the derby. But Fellaini made his return in Nicosia against Cyprus and was on the pitch for 59 minutes, which should give the former Chelsea boss enough confidence to start him in his defensive midfield role for his first Manchester derby since taking over in the summer.

"He has an injury in his back. It's not good," the Red Devils boss confirmed following their win over Hull, as quoted on United's official site.

Fellaini's return will be a big boost for Mourinho, who is still sweating over the fitness of a number of key players as United look to maintain their 100% start to the season. Luke Shaw and Henrikh Mkhitaryan remain doubts after picking up knocks while on international duty. He has also hinted that Antonio Valencia, who has started at right-back in all three Premier League games thus far could be a doubt as he returns to England just one day prior to the game following his stint with Ecuador.