The latest Manchester City team news, injury update and predicted line-up ahead of their Premier League clash with Manchester United
Manchester City kept their fine run of form going in midweek, making it four wins on the trot with a 2-0 victory away to Porto in the Champions League. Enzo Maresca’s side ran out deserved winners, dominating possession and having 17 shots at goal compared to four from their Portuguese opponents, who didn’t manage to hit the target once over the course of the game.
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Next up, City are preparing for an eagerly anticipated Manchester derby against their rivals Manchester United. They’ve failed to win on their travels to Old Trafford for the past two seasons, and will be eager to get their own back on the Red Devils and maintain their spot at the top of the Premier League table.
Maresca will be buoyed by the return of Nico O’Reilly this weekend, with the England star now recovered from injury after pulling up in the warm-up before his side’s 1-0 win over Coventry City. He missed the trip to Porto, but will be back for Sunday. The bad news for City is that Jeremy Doku has been ruled out, as he continues to struggle with a calf injury.
Ahead of City’s five-mile trip across town to face United, we’ve had our best crack at predicting the starting XI Maresca will field in the Manchester derby, with the local bragging rights on the line.
Man City predicted line-up vs Man United: goalkeeper and defence
Nico O'Reilly is set to return for Man City after missing their past two matches with injuryplaceholder image
Nico O'Reilly is set to return for Man City after missing their past two matches with injury | Getty Images
GK - Gianluigi Donnarumma: The towering Italian has had a mixed start to the new season, impressing with his shot stopping but continuing to cause concern with his shaky distribution. He’s still very much City’s undisputed number one, well ahead of both Geronimo Rulli and veteran stopper Marcus Bettinelli, who has made just one appearance over the past five seasons of his career.
RB - Matheus Nunes: Maresca will deploy a back four as usual, with Nunes now his first-choice option at right-back. The ex-Wolves ace has little in the way of competition for his starting spot, with just Rico Lewis there as backup should he succumb to injury or fatigue at some point this season.
CB - Marc Guehi: After a brief spell in midfield before Man City completed their mega-money rebuild, Guehi has returned to his preferred spot in the heart of defence. He’s played every minute of every game for Maresca’s side so far this season, and will be one of the first names of the team sheet to face United on Sunday.
CB - Ruben Dias: The 29-year-old is now at the peak of his powers, as he heads into his seventh season on the books at City. With over 260 appearances under his belt, Dias is very much part of the furniture, and is looking to forge a rock-solid partnership with Guehi at the back as his side look to challenge across four competitions again this season.
LB - Nico O’Reilly: Given the importance of Sunday’s game, it’s likely that Maresca will play O’Reilly despite the 21-year-old missing City’s last two matches. England boss Thomas Tuchel will be watching the versatile defender closely, ahead of the three-week international break that takes place later this month for the opening Nations League fixtures.
Will Cherki start against Man United?
Man City's Rayan Cherki is swiftly becoming one of the Premier League's top playersplaceholder image
Man City's Rayan Cherki is swiftly becoming one of the Premier League's top players | Getty Images
CM - Enzo Fernandez: After finally getting his big move to Man City - although, he just might have preferred one to Real Madrid - Fernandez has slotted into their midfield with ease, which isn’t a surprise given that he’s managed by his former Chelsea boss in Maresca. He’ll star the Manchester derby and look to win the fierce midfield battle for his side.
CM - Elliot Anderson: Few can say they’ve been lumped in the back of the head by a man, only for him to become their co-worker a few weeks later. That’s the case for Anderson, who was famously battered to the floor by Fernandez in England’s World Cup semi-final loss to Argentina. He’ll partner his fiery former adversary in midfield against United
AMR - Antoine Semenyo: City stormed out of the blocks in last January’s transfer window and snapped up Semenyo from Bournemouth, and he’s made the step up with aplomb, becoming a vital player for the club. He’ll keep his spot on the right wing, ahead of summer signing Iliman Ndiaye.
AMC - Rayan Cherki: The France international has played so well of late he’s impossible to drop, and has turned out to be a serious bargain after joining the club from Lyon in a £34m deal last season. He’s start to start in the number ten role behind the striker, and will be looking to cause United all sorts of problems with his dazzling attacking flair.
AML - Phil Foden: Moved out to the left to accommodate Cherki, Foden is having to adapt his game once again after being shunted around for both club and country during his career so far. He’s more than capable of doing a fine job in a wider position, and provides some much needed quality cover for the injured Doku.
ST - Erling Haaland: He bagged a brace in the midweek win over Porto to add to his winner against Coventry City last weekend. The Norwegian machine has scored a sensational 115 goals in 135 Premier League matches for the Citizens, and stands an excellent chance of surpassing the 20 league goal mark for the six season in a row as a professional footballer.