Manchester City predicted XI to face Manchester United - Seven changes expected with centre-back injuries
Pep Guardiola will be forced into at least two alterations with Nathan Ake and Ruben Dias unavailable.
Manchester City are likely to ring the changes for Sunday’s Premier League clash with Manchester United.
The champions put out a weakened side in mid-week as they eliminated Peterborough United from the FA Cup, with several key stars rested for the fifth-round tie.
Many of those are expected to return to the team for the Manchester derby, where City will be hoping to secure a league double over the Red Devils.
Pep Guardiola has already confirmed that he’ll have to make two changes from the team which started at London Road on Tuesday night, with Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake missing through injury.
Speaking in Friday’s pre-match press conference Guardiola said: “Nathan and Ruben are not available for Sunday. The rest are ready. Cole Palmer feels better, can hopefully start to train with us in the next days. The rest are good.”
The City boss also confirmed Dias could be absent between four to six weeks with a hamstring issue.
It means Guardiola will only have two regular centre-backs to choose from when United make the short journey to Eastlands.
But despite the issues at the back, City have more options up front, with Gabriel Jesus and Jack Grealish returning in midweek, while the latter netted in the 2-0 win over Peterborough.
Here’s how we think they’ll line up…
1. Ederson
Played in the FA Cup due to an injury to Zack Steffen, and is a certainty to start on Sunday, barring any last-minute injury.
2. Kyle Walker
Could face a difficult afternoon up against the tricky Jadon Sancho and Anthony Elanga, who are perhaps United’s most in-form players.
3. John Stones
The injury to Dias means Stones is likely to be picked at centre-back, and he came on at half-time in the win over the Posh on Tuesday.
4. Aymeric Laporte
Will marshall the defence without the usual guidance of Dias. Laporte and Stones have rarely played as a pair this season but shouldn’t struggle to adapt at the weekend.