Football
Rob Dawson, Correspondent 7y

Antonio Valencia expected to return against Manchester City - sources

Antonio Valencia is expected to return to the Manchester United team for their derby clash with Manchester City, sources have told ESPN FC.

Valencia, who has spent the season playing at right-back, was absent for the 2-0 win at Burnley on Sunday.

He also missed back-to-back games against Everton and Sunderland earlier this month after United's analysts concluded following the 0-0 draw with West Bromwich Albion that the defender was suffering from fatigue.

Valencia returned for both legs of the Europa League quarterfinal with Anderlecht and the 2-0 win over Chelsea.

But after playing 120 minutes against Anderlecht in the second leg at Old Trafford, he was rested for the trip to Turf Moor with United staff fearing he could burn out.

His workload between now and the end of the season is set to be managed carefully as United chase a top-four finish in the Premier League and the Europa League trophy.

Valencia, who moved to Old Trafford from Wigan as a winger in 2009, was a surprise choice as Jose Mourinho's first-choice right-back at the start of the season.

But he has been one of United's most consistent performers and will be in the running for the club's player of the year award when it is decided next month.

Valencia has also said this season Mourinho tried to sign him when he was in charge of Real Madrid having earmarked him for the right-back's role at the Bernabeu.

Valencia's expected return is a boost for Mourinho, who is sweating on the fitness of Paul Pogba, Ander Herrera, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones.

Herrera is expected to shake off an ankle knock to line up at the Etihad Stadium while there is growing confidence Pogba will be fit after being substituted late in the game against Burnley.

Smalling and Jones have missed the last seven games with knee and toe injuries respectively.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Marcos Rojo and Juan Mata are definitely out.

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