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MANCHESTER UNITED has received a significant boost ahead of next weekend's Manchester derby.
Key wingers are expected to be available for selection following the eliminations of Ivory Coast and their respective national teams from the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).
Diallo and Mbeumo have been unavailable since DecemberCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
United are anticipated to have a fully fit squad for the Manchester derbyCredit: AFP
The duo has been absent since joining their national teams in mid-December.
United will host Brighton in a third-round tie this afternoon, where the caretaker manager is likely to maintain his 4-2-3-1 formation in his second match in charge.
However, a new interim manager may be on the sidelines for the crucial clash against Manchester City on January 17.
If not Fletcher, the British billionaire owner is expected to appoint either him or another candidate as interim manager until the season's end.
The previous manager, heavily criticized for his preference for a back-three formation, was dismissed following a 1-1 draw.
This Portuguese manager faced challenges with a very thin squad in December, often lacking enough senior players to fill his starting lineup.
With the return of Diallo and Mbeumo, along with Bruno Fernandes recovering from his hamstring injury, the new United manager is anticipated to have a fully fit squad.
Only one defender remains sidelined due to a back issue.
Meanwhile, Manchester City's squad will also benefit from the return of Algerian left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri, although Egyptian forward remains unavailable.
Currently, United sits seventh in the Premier League, just three points behind the fourth-placed team, with hopes for European qualification still very much alive.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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