Manchester United captain Harry Maguire has been ruled out of Sunday's Manchester derby against Manchester City through injury.
The centre-back has fallen out of favour under new Man United boss Erik ten Hag, but featured in both of England's matches during the international break.
However, he sustained a suspected hamstring injury during the dramatic 3-3 draw with Germany at Wembley earlier this week, and Ten Hag has now confirmed that the 29-year-old will play no part in the trip to the Etihad Stadium this weekend.
Ten Hag insists that he still believes in the club captain, though, keeping the door open for him to work his way back into the starting XI after falling behind Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez in the Old Trafford pecking order.
"I have to coach him and back him. I back him because I believe in him. I can see his qualities. Quality is there. Almost 50 caps for England, he has high potential. Then it is about him. We all believe in him," Ten Hag told reporters.
"He is doing quite well, but there is always room for improvement. If he believes in his own skills he will be back, and I am convinced of that. His abilities are really high."
While Maguire is sidelined, Ten Hag delivered better news on Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford, both of whom are now back in training after recent spells on the sidelines.
"Anthony Martial been training with the group all week, really happy with that situation. Marcus Rashford also joined training, so we are happy with that," he added.
Martial has only featured once so far this season under Ten Hag and has been ruled out since the victory over Liverpool on August 22 due to a calf problem.
Rashford, meanwhile, missed England's matches against Italy and Germany through injury, but was named the Premier League player of the month for September on Friday after scoring twice and assisting two more goals in two appearances.
Ten Hag himself was named manager of the month for September as a result of victories over Leicester City and Arsenal, and he believes that the accolades are evidence that his side are moving in the "right direction".
"What we achieved we did together, it says we are in the right direction. There is a lot of space for improvement, we have to. It says we are in the right direction but have to work harder," he said at his pre-match press conference.
The Red Devils have won four Premier League games on the bounce after opening their campaign with successive defeats, and victory in Ten Hag's first Manchester derby this weekend would see them move to within two points of their opponents and defending champions Man City.
"I approach this by looking at ourselves. Manchester United, we want to win every game. The aim for Sunday is nothing else. We have to do our best and of course a good plan, and the execution," he added.
"I have played many derbies. I know what they are, what the rivalry, what they do with each other. I know it is the most important game in the Manchester area. It excites me. You do everything to win that game.
"We don't play against [Erling Braut] Haaland, we play against Man City. We are convinced of our capabilities. If we act as a team then we can beat our opponents. That is the belief we need, and we need it even more Sunday."
Man United head into the weekend sitting fifth in the Premier League table and having lost both meetings with Man City last season by an aggregate scoreline of 6-1.
However, Ten Hag's side have already claimed the scalps of last season's runners-up Liverpool and current league leaders Arsenal during their ongoing four-match winning streak in the league. body check tags ::
