Manchester United will lock horns with arch-rivals Manchester City at the Etihad on Sunday afternoon, hoping to pick up all three points and maintain their position in the top four of the Premier League table. The Red Devils will be coming into the match on the back of a disappointing 0-0 draw with Watford, whereas the Citizens recorded a comfortable 2-0 victory over Peterborough United in the fifth round of the FA Cup competition.
Team News
Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake remain as doubts for the upcoming clash after being forced off at half-time during the FA Cup win.
“Nathan finished bad in the action when he got the yellow card and Ruben was not feeling good in his leg,” Pep Guardiola revealed.
“That’s why, for caution and to be alert, we made the substitutions. It was not planned but Aymeric [Laporte] and John [Stones] were excellent [in the] second-half. I would say it was a medical decision.”
Pep Guardiola will probably opt for the 4-3-3 formation with several tweaks from the last game as Kevin De Bruyne looks likely to make his way back into the starting eleven.
4-3-3 Manchester City Predicted Lineup Vs Manchester United
Defence
Ederson Moraes will operate in between the sticks for the upcoming clash. The Brazilian shot-stopper will hope to put up a strong performance and secure a clean sheet on Sunday.
John Stones will form the centre-half partnership with Aymeric Laporte at the heart of City’s backline.
Kyle Walker will start at the right-back position, whereas Joao Cancelo will fill in on the other flank as the right-back. The full-backs will be expected to stay compact and keep their shape defensively.
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Midfield
Rodri might start in the holding midfield position and could be assigned with more of a defensive role to shield the home side’s back-four.
Bernardo Silva will slot into the central midfield role, whereas Kevin de Bruyne is expected to start in the attacking midfield position. The duo would be determined to set up some clear-cut goal scoring chances for the front men.
Ilkay Gundogan will have to settle for a place on the bench, but he could come on to make a cameo appearance in the second half.
Attack
Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez will take up the wide positions, playing on the left and right-wing, respectively.
Gabriel Jesus will lead the line for Manchester City this weekend. The Brazil international will be hoping to get his name on the scoresheet when he faces off against the United defence that conceded four goals in their last five games across all competitions.
