Man City predicted lineup vs Man Utd - Premier League

Could Jack Grealish get the nod at Old Trafford?
Could Jack Grealish get the nod at Old Trafford? / Jan Kruger/GettyImages
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Manchester City are hoping to bounce back from a shock defeat to Southampton in the Carabao Cup in midweek when they make the short trip across town for Saturday's Manchester derby.

Pep Guardiola openly admitted that his team didn't deserve to beat the Saints and will expect a strong response against a United side they thrashed 6-3 in October.

Here's a look at the starting XI he could pick...


Man City predicted lineup vs Man Utd

GK: Ederson - Hasn't missed a Premier League game all season.

RB: Rico Lewis - This is potentially a huge test for the teenager, especially facing up against Marcus Rashford. But Guardiola doesn't seem very hot on Joao Cancelo at the minute.

CB: Aymeric Laporte - With Ruben Dias still not ruled out and John Stones also unavailable for this one, it could be the Spain international's chance for a reprieve.

CB: Manuel Akanji - Came off the bench at half-time against Southampton and it helped.

LB: Nathan Ake - As mentioned, Cancelo has slipped down the pecking order in recent weeks, leaving the Dutchman to continue on the left.

CM: Ilkay Gundogan - Questioned the 'hunger and desire' of the team after Wednesday's shock.

CM: Rodri - Didn't start against Southampton and maybe things might have different if he had, although City should still have had the quality to win without him.

CM: Kevin De Bruyne - The first player Guardiola turned to off the bench in midweek. No goals or assists in any competition since before Christmas.

RW: Riyad Mahrez - Scored twice in a 4-1 home win over United last season but was given just 15 minutes on the pitch in the first derby of this campaign.

ST: Erling Haaland - Guardiola took the opportunity to rest his star striker completely against Chelsea and used him for only 34 minutes against Southampton, so he should be fresh.

LW: Jack Grealish - Likely to be a 50/50 pick between him and Phil Foden. The latter had the game of his life in the Etihad derby, yet has been a little out of favour.