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Nemanja Matic is facing a battle to be fit for Manchester United's showdown with Arsenal.

The midfielder, who has started every Premier League game so far this season, is in danger of seeing that run come to an end with Saturday evening's clash at the Emirates Stadium.

Matic came off with a muscular injury nine minutes into the second half of Tuesday's 4-2 win at Watford, and is unlikely to recover in time.

Boss Jose Mourinho feared the worst when the 29-year-old Serbia international, a £35million summer signing from Chelsea, signalled he could no longer carry on at Vicarage Road.

(Image: PA)

Matic has undergone tests on the affected area and has not given up hope of being fit to face Arsenal, but the likelihood is that game will come too soon.

Mourinho is desperate to have him fit for the derby showdown with Premier League leaders and local rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford a week on Sunday.

United's medical team will do all they can to ensure Matic is fit to face City in a potentially title race-defining game between the Premier League's top two sides — Mourinho's side trail the neighbours by eight points already and cannot afford to fall further behind if they are to have any chance of catching them.

If Matic does not recover in time to face Arsenal, Ander Herrera - who replaced him at Watford - is likely to come into the side for him.

Meanwhile, United's club-record £89million signing Paul Pogba has admitted he is still some way short of his best form despite having made four appearances since a two-month injury lay-off.

“Obviously it is tiring to play all of the those games, but that’s what you want,” said Pogba.

(Image: PA)

“That’s what you play football for. You sacrifice, but you enjoy it, so you go through it and you just want to recover to play those games.”

“I want to get better and help my team a bit more. I’ve played three games in a row. I played my last two games for 90 minutes so I need a bit more time to feel 100 per cent - but I’m still good to play."