Manchester City return to Premier League action on Sunday when they host bitter rivals Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium.
Manchester derbies are always huge occasions, but this match in particular has a lot more at stake, considering the mixed start both clubs have had.
Manchester City are in desperate need of three points after losing their last two games, while Manchester United aren’t exactly in a great position either.
The Red Devils have picked up four points from their opening three games and were also humiliated by Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup recently.
Manchester City News looks at who Pep Guardiola could name in the City starting XI for the big derby.
Erling Haaland of Manchester City shoots whilst under pressure from Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United during the Emirates FA Cup Final between Manchester City and Manchester United at Wembley Stadium on June 03, 2023
Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images
Manchester City vs Manchester United team news
Omar Marmoush suffered a knee injury on international duty and will not be available for the derby.
More Man City News
Rayan Cherki, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Mateo Kovacic are the other confirmed absentees for City, while John Stones is a doubt due to a muscle complaint.
Meanwhile, Man United will be without Matheus Cunha and Mason Mount, who both came off in their recent meeting with Burnley due to injury.
Diogo Dalot is also out after withdrawing from Portugal duty last week with a muscle issue, while Lisandro Martinez remains a long-term absentee.
Manchester City predicted XI
The first big decision Guardiola has to make involves his goalkeeper, with Gianluigi Donnarumma and James Trafford both in contention.
We predict Donnarumma will get the nod, as he has much more big-game experience at the highest level than Trafford.
With Ait-Nouri out, Josko Gvardiol is likely to replace him at left-back, while Rico Lewis could celebrate his new contract with a start at right-back.
If John Stones is fit, he would likely start alongside Nathan Ake, but if the Englishman fails a late fitness test, Ruben Dias could take his place.
Rodri was used sparingly by Spain over the international break, so he should be fine to start again, while Tijjani Reijnders and Bernardo Silva could line up alongside him.
Erling Haaland is guaranteed to start when fit, but Guardiola has to decide who to play either side of him on the flanks.
We predict the returning Phil Foden will be on the right side, while Jeremy Doku could line up on the left side.
Doku bagged two goals and an assist in his last Belgium outing, so Guardiola will surely want to make the most of the confidence the £55million man will have at present.
Predicted Manchester City XI vs Manchester United: Donnarumma; Lewis, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol; Silva, Rodri, Reijnders; Foden, Haaland, Doku