Robin van Persie will not be available for selection for Manchester United's clash with Manchester City on Sunday.
Van Persie had declared that he would be fit for the clash earlier in the week. United boss Louis van Gaal confirmed on Friday however that the Dutchman will miss Sunday's derby.
The Dutch striker has not played for United since he suffered an ankle injury in the 2-1 defeat to Swansea on February 21.
He was expected to be named in the squad to face City this weekend, after the 31-year-he confirmed his return to full fitness by tweeting an update from his Twitter account on Wednesday afternoon.
A post-training tweet read: "Back to training with the group today. Was a great session. Happy to be fit and able to play again. Looking forward to my next game!"
Manchester United have moved a point above City in Van Persie's absence, with Wayne Rooney re-deployed in his favored center-forward role.
Rooney has scored three goals in his last four games and is expected to lead the line for United on Sunday.
