Manchester City will clash heads with Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday evening as they try to pick up a win and continue their excellent run of form in the Premier League. Pep Guardiola’s men have won their last two league matches without conceding a goal and scoring seven times at the other end. Hence, they will fancy their chances of securing a positive result in this highly anticipated Manchester derby.
The away team will set themselves up in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Guardiola expected to bring Ruben Dias and Gabriel Jesus back for this game this weekend. However, John Stones might have to settle for a spot on the bench despite his decent run of form of late.
4-2-3-1 Manchester City Predicted Lineup To Face Manchester United
Defence
Ederson will operate in between the sticks for Man City after he was rested in the 3-0 win over Marseille in midweek. Aymeric Laporte could retain his spot and might play alongside Ruben Dias as they try to stop Man United from creating too many chances in the final third. Laporte’s inclusion would mean that John Stones will drop to the bench but could get a chance to feature in the second half if needed.
Kyle Walker will return to play as the right-back while Benjamin Mendy fills in on the other side as the left-back. Guardiola will demand that both his full-backs work hard towards providing some natural width for his front players.
Midfield
Ilkay Gundogan is a slight doubt for this derby but could operate alongside Rodri in the holding midfield positions. They will both look to keep the ball moving and engineer a few decent opportunities for their teammates in the opposition half.
The gifted trio of Riyad Mahrez, Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling will function just ahead of them as part of the Man City attack. Both Sterling and De Bruyne got their names on the scoresheet last weekend and will be full of confidence heading into this weekend’s exciting showdown at the Theatre of Dreams.
Attack
Gabriel Jesus will once again get the responsibility to lead the line for the Mancunian giants down the middle. The Brazilian striker needs a goal to boost his confidence, so he will do well to score in the derby and fire his side to all three points this weekend.
Ferran Torres and Sergio Aguero will have to be content with a place on the bench as they wait for their chance to shine in the second half if Guardiola decides to call upon their services.
