Manchester City will be aiming to continue their winning streak when they face Manchester United on Sunday.
It will be the first Manchester derby of the season and though City haven’t been at their scintillating best since returning from the international break, they have got back among the victories. The Blues were 3-1 winners over Young Boys on Wednesday and picked up a 2-1 against Brighton last weekend.
United have also strung a run together themselves having won their last three matches but Erik ten Hag’s side’s performances have remained unconvincing. Each of their wins against Brentford, Sheffield United and FC Copenhagen came with late drama and a lot of luck.
As a result City will be the heavy favourites for the derby. Pep Guardiola will be without the suspended Manuel Akanji but has no injury concerns other than long-term absentee Kevin De Bruyne.
Simon Bajkowski
City’s team pretty much picks itself for Sunday, especially with Akanji injured. John Stones, Josko Gvardiol and Kyle Walker surely come back into the team to play alongside Ruben Dias in a strong defence.
Jack Grealish played his way into the starting XI with his performance in Switzerland, outperforming Jeremy Doku and reminding City fans of what an attacking threat he can possess. Phil Foden didn’t play there because of a “small problem” but looked fine enough in the rondo that the substitutes participated in after the match
Bernardo Silva has a track record of excellence at Old Trafford and he should be perfect to come in and float between positions, helping out Rodri but also mingling with Foden and Julian Alvarez behind Erling Haaland. The more confusion City can create around the United midfield and defence, the better.
Joe Bray
I’d be tempted to find a way to fit Rico Lewis into the line-up after a man of the match performance in midweek, but he may only get a chance if Foden isn’t fit enough to start. Instead of Lewis, though, I’d focus on continuing the progress made by Doku and Grealish in Switzerland.
With United’s injury-hit defence, City should look to stretch it and exploit the weaknesses at full-back – with Grealish attracting attention on one flank and Doku attacking Sergio Reguilon or Diogo Dalot on the opposite side. Alvarez and Erling Haaland can occupy Harry Maguire and Raphael Varane in the middle, with Silva able to provide a more calming presence in midfield. Foden can be a useful weapon off the bench
At the back, a Stones and Dias partnership picks itself without Akanji, and even though Gvardiol has been playing well, Guardiola likes Nathan Ake for his one-on-one defending which could prove useful against United.
Daniel Murphy
It’s the Manchester derby and though City should be dealing with United quite easily given their recent performances, the heightened emotion of an already hectic occasion could see the game become chaotic. Guardiola will seek to combat that by ensuring his side has as much control as possible.
To that end, Grealish should start ahead of the exciting yet risky Doku with Ake coming in at left-back on the same flank. Silva has been playing well in the middle alongside Rodri and he should stay there with Foden operating on the right.
