Man City predicted lineup vs Man Utd - Premier League
- First Manchester derby of the 2023/24 season takes place on Sunday
- Manuel Akanji will serve a suspension after his red card vs Brighton
- Jeremy Doku battling Jack Grealish for one position while John Stones will feature in midfield again
By Euan Burns
Pep Guardiola will want to set the record straight in this Sunday's Manchester derby after losing the fixture at Old Trafford last season.
Goals from Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford cancelled out Jack Grealish's opener but after wins against Brighton and Young Boys, City are favourites for this season's trip to Manchester United, enjoying a stronger start to the campaign and better fitness record.
Guardiola is expected to use his 3-2-4-1 formation that features lots of unpredictability, with a couple of key changes to be made from the win over Young Boys in the Champions League.
Here's the team Guardiola may choose to secure victory for City over United.
Manchester City predicted lineup vs Manchester United (3-2-4-1)
GK: Ederson - Stefan Ortega was given the nod last weekend against Brighton but with Ederson coming back in against Young Boys on Wednesday, there is little reason to believe he won't start here.
CB: Kyle Walker - While not a conventional centre-back, Walker is proven as capable of playing in City's back three and has plenty of experience in this fixture.
CB: Ruben Dias - Dias sat out the Young Boys victory but with Manuel Akanji suspended, he will certainly be the man in the middle of the defensive trio.
CB: Josko Gvardiol - This position is a little more up for grabs but Guardiola is trying to get the best out of Gvardiol and this will be a big test for him if he starts.
DM: John Stones - With Man Utd posing an attacking threat, Guardiola could stick with Stones in midfield alongside Rodri again.
DM: Rodri - Rodri will run things in midfield and also carries a serious goal threat on the edge of the box, having scored twice in the league this season.
RM: Phil Foden - Another player who went unused in the Young Boys victory, Foden is enjoying regular starts and is an important creative influence in the continued absence of Kevin De Bruyne. He should get to make an impact from the right wing.
CM: Julian Alvarez - Another player Guardiola seems able to mould into whatever he wants, Alvarez is adept in this midfield role that also allows him to double up as a second striker in attack.
CM: Bernardo Silva - Another player with a lot of experience in this fixture, Silva will look to be one of many creative sparks in the Man City team.
LM: Jeremy Doku - This position could go to Jack Grealish, but Guardiola may reward Doku's impressive form with a start in this huge game, knowing Grealish can be introduced from the bench.
ST: Erling Haaland - A lot is made of Haaland's record in big games for Man City, but he got a hat-trick in the 6-3 win at the Etihad last season against Man Utd.
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