Manchester City host Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon in the latest step of their Premier League title defence.
The Cityzens are locked in a close title fight with Liverpool and Arsenal, sitting a point behind the Reds and one ahead of the Gunners. With few injury concerns of late, City are in the best shape out of the top Premier League sides, with Man Utd at risk of a big defeat thanks to a large amount of fitness issues.
Here’s the team Guardiola may choose for Man City vs Man Utd.
GK: Ederson – There’s talk of Man City getting ready to hand Ederson a new contract which seems like a no-brainer. He understands what Guardiola wants from a goalkeeper and can do the basics right, too.
RB: Kyle Walker – Played the entire match against Luton Town but Walker still seems to have enough in the tank for this hectic schedule. His pace could be key against Alejandro Garnacho on Sunday afternoon.
CB: Ruben Dias – Having been rested against Luton, Dias will come back into the starting lineup as the best defender at the club. It would have been interesting to see an in-form Rasmus Hojlund come up against Dias, but the Dane is injured.
CB: Manuel Akanji – Produced a fine piece of play for the opening goal against Luton which showed just how much he has developed under the guidance of Guardiola. Will look to break into midfield regularly.
LB: Nathan Ake – With Josko Gvardiol not expected to return in time for this match, Ake will be on the left unless Akanji is pushed out there. Ake is becoming a real fan favourite for City now after another impressive campaign.
CM: Rodri – Like Dias, Guardiola opted to give Rodri a rest against Luton with the derby in mind. That can only be a bad thing for Man Utd as the Spaniard will be fresh and ready to run the game at the Etihad.
CM: John Stones – There are a few options for Guardiola in this position. He could use Stones as a centre-back and allow Matheus Nunes or Mateo Kovacic to play here, but the coach has favoured Stones in this role for big games.
RW: Bernardo Silva – Was the best player on the pitch when the sides met earlier this season and has three goals and six assists against Man Utd across 14 matches. He enjoys facing the Red Devils and could be in for some more fun on Sunday with Sofyan Amrabat potentially starting at left-back for the visitors.
AM: Kevin De Bruyne – It was surprising to see De Bruyne play all 90 minutes against Luton Town but he didn’t waste them, gettings assists for four of Erling Haaland’s five goals. He is expected to be fit enough to start regularly now with plenty of minutes in the legs.
LW: Phil Foden – Also got a full rest on Tuesday and will be fresh to face the team he wants to beat more than any other as a local lad. Has scored four times against Man Utd in the past and will be one of the favourites to net again on Sunday.
ST: Erling Haaland – It must have been nothing short of terrifying for Man Utd fans to see Haaland score five goals in less than an hour ahead of the local derby. Plenty of fans in the Premier League would like to see him join Real Madrid as soon as possible, although Barcelona are supposedly the ones making moves.
