The season’s first Manchester derby is here as local rivals Manchester City take on Manchester United in what is expected to be a mouthwatering clash at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
The Cityzens are in decent form having won five out of seven Premier League games. They are yet to taste defeat this season and lie second on the table, just a point behind Arsenal.
Having overcome Wolves 3-0 at Molineux before the international break, Pep Guardiola, though, will be wary of a revitalised Manchester United side on a four-game winning run.
Manchester City Team News
Manchester City will be without the services of John Stones, who was forced off with a hamstring problem in England’s 3-3 draw with Germany in the Nations League this week.
Kalvin Phillips is set for a spell on the sidelines after undergoing successful shoulder surgery. Aymeric Laporte has been training for the last few weeks after recovering from a thigh problem and could be named on the bench on Sunday.
Predicted Man City Lineup vs Man United (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper
One of the best goalkeepers in Europe, Ederson is a certainty to start between the sticks for Man City in the Manchester derby. With his intelligent positioning and sweeping ability, the Brazilian plays a crucial role in building many City attacks from the back.
Defence
Injury to John Stones is a big blow for Pep Guardiola, but he does have options at his disposal to replace the England international. Ruben Dias is the leader of the pack in defence, so he becomes a natural starter in the Man City lineup. Dias will partner summer signing Manuel Akanji at centre-half as the duo look to stop Cristiano Ronaldo.
Joao Cancelo has cemented his place at left-back over the last 15-18 months, while Kyle Walker starts at right-back in the Man City lineup.
Midfield
Rodri, in the single pivot, provides Man City’s midfield a calming influence whilst allowing the likes of Kevin de Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan to play their natural game. The Spaniard will have to be at his best to stop Man United’s fast counter-attacks.
De Bruyne is in rollicking form and will be at the heart of most City attacks. Completing the troika in the engine room will be Gundogan, who scored from the spot in Germany’s 3-3 draw with England whilst on international duty.
Attack
In his first-ever Manchester derby, Erling Haaland will want to shine brightly and grab the headlines. The Norwegian has 11 goals in seven league games and should be eager to continue his rich vein of form at the weekend.
Joining Haaland in the City attack could be Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden. Silva could start on the right flank while Foden goes from the left in the Man City lineup, with the duo tasked with creating opportunities for Haaland to feast upon in the box.