Manchester City are preparing themselves for the first derby of the season as Erik ten Hag's United side travel to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Pep Guardiola's team have enjoyed an impressive start to the campaign and have yet to lose in either the Premier League or Champions League. They currently sit second in the table a point behind Arsenal before this weekend's fixtures.
Their opponents from across the city, United, lie fifth and have won four on the bounce in the league following a shaky start to the campaign which saw them lose back-to-back matches, leaving them bottom of the table. Guardiola's men are favourites for the clash but will be wary that this is a very different United team to the one that last visited the Etihad Stadium and lost 4-1.
Guardiola may be tempted to make minimal changes on Sunday following their last performance away at Wolverhampton Wanderers before the international break. One switch that will be forced upon him is that of John Stones.
The defender pulled up on Monday night during England's draw with Germany and Guardiola confirmed on Friday that Stones will be out due to a hamstring injury. Fortunately for Guardiola, Kyle Walker returned during the break and came through the internationals unscathed so he should be able to fill in at right-back.
Aymeric Laporte featured once again in training for the Blues but he is unlikely to be risked considering the form of Manuel Akanji and Ruben Dias. Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan will both be battling it out for a place alongside Kevin De Bruyne and Rodri in central midfield.
With United likely to sit back and look to absorb some pressure, Guardiola may opt to stick with the more attack-minded Bernardo this weekend. After impressing in the West Midlands Jack Grealish, Phil Foden and Erling Haaland all look set to start together up front but following his display for Argentina, do not be surprised if you see Julian Alvarez play some role Sunday.
Source: m.allfootballapp.com