Manchester City will be hoping to bounce back from a poor performance against Southampton in the Carabao Cup this weekend
Manchester City travel to Manchester United for the derby this weekend with a point to prove following the midweek trip to Southampton.
It was a rare off day for the Blues who saw their chances of winning the quadruple end on the south coast. There is no better occasion to bounce back for City than a trip to Old Trafford.
United are in good form since the World Cup break having not dropped a single point after domestic football’s return. Erik ten Hag’s men sit just four points behind City so Pep Guardiola will be fully aware of the challenge that lies ahead.
With that in mind and such a big game to look forward to on Saturday, here is how MEN Sport expects City to line-up vs United.
Goalkeeper – Ederson
An unfortunate night in Southampton did not help Stefan Ortega’s chances of surpassing Ederson in goal for Premier League fixtures. The Brazilian has had a good rest having not featured in the Blues’ last two cup games and he will be itching to get back in between the sticks.
Defenders – Kyle Walker, Manuel Akanji, Aymeric Laporte, Nathan Ake
Had John Stones been fit for this weekend he would have no doubt started for the Blues but Guardiola confirmed that he is the only new player unavailable to him. Having played out of position in midweek, a return to full-back for Walker seems like an obvious decision.
Joao Cancelo is not in favour at present and Ake has done a sterling job at left-back in recent weeks so it would seem likely that he moves back to that position. Sergio Gomez’s torrid time at St Mary’s means a place on the bench is almost guaranteed.
Midfielders – Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva
Kalvin Phillips was another player who disappointed at Southampton and unfortunately had to be hauled off after 63 minutes. Rodri’s disrupted break will have done him some good and he is surely now a shoo-in to feature at United.
De Bruyne is another obvious inclusion against the Reds and having not been called upon in midweek, Bernardo should be raring to go again. Ilkay Gundogan could be rested after playing the full 90 at Southampton.
Forwards – Riyad Mahrez, Erling Haaland, Jack Grealish
Two of the front three almost pick themselves. Mahrez has been in terrific form recently and will surely be able to cause United plenty of problems.
Haaland is still City’s starting centre-forward and that seems unlikely to change in their near future. It will be a tough decision to choose between Grealish and Alvarez but Guardiola may opt for the former Aston Villa man, leaving the Argentine striker as the perfect sub to change the game, if needed.
SOURCE: manchestereveningnews.co.uk
