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Pep Guardiola insisted Manchester City will not treat Manchester United any differently despite the decision from Ruben Amorim to drop Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho from his squad for tactical reasons.
Rashford scored at the Etihad in last season's Premier League derby, while Garnacho scored in United's FA Cup final win and also in the Community Shield at the start of the season. But Amorim laid down the law early in his United reign by dropping both and confirmed the decisions were not injury-related.
Guardiola himself named an unconventional City side with just three senior fit defenders after Rico Lewis' red card at Crystal Palace last weekend.
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Asked if he was surprised by United's selection, Guardiola insisted Amorim's side will be strong regardless of the drama surrounding Rashford and Garnacho.
"No. Could expect maybe their wingbacks more with Amad Diallo maybe, he plays there a few times," he replied. "They have five defenders back. After the pace upfront. Good quality with Diallo and Mount in the pockets. Of course Hojlund and Fernandes to link with them. It's a good team.
"But if they decide for other players, always the squad for United - not because I play against them tonight, maybe I completely disagree with what most people think - but the squad for United is exceptional."
The manager previously teased that Matheus Nunes could play at left-back, while Bernardo Silva played there against Arsenal two seasons ago in similar circumstances. And Guardiola confirmed that it would be Nunes selected on the left. "We have no other option," he said.