Today, Manchester City faces Manchester United at Old Trafford for the 198th Manchester Derby. Every meeting between these two teams is significant given the competition and bragging rights that exist. Today’s game is of great significance to Guardiola’s team. They need all three points to stay in touch with Arsenal at the top of the Premier League. Mikel Arteta’s side are six points ahead of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table. City can close the gap to three points with a win ahead of Arsenal’s clash with Nottingham Forest later today.
They will face Manchester United coached by Michael Carrick. Carrick took over as Manchester United manager after Ruben Amorim was sacked. City must once again prepare for the unexpected, taking on a team led by a new manager. City faced Chelsea ahead of their FA Cup and Carabao Cup fixtures, with Chelsea experiencing similar managerial chaos before the teams drew 1-1 at the Etihad Stadium in early January. Guardiola’s side face a similar situation today and need to be ready for anything at Old Trafford.
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Here’s the latest Manchester City injury news and my predicted starting eleven ahead of today’s game.
The latest injury news from Manchester City.
Manchester City has six players missing today’s match due to injury and international duty. John Stones, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, Mateo Kovacic, Oscar Bobb and Savinho are all absent from today’s game due to injuries. Omar Marmouche will miss the game as he represents Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Guardiola told the media yesterday that he was unsure whether Nico would be available for today’s game. Guardiola told the media at yesterday’s pre-match press conference that the decision on whether Nico will participate in today’s game will be made after Manchester City’s training yesterday.
Predict Manchester City’s starting XI.
Gianluigi Donnarumma: James Trafford has started Manchester City’s past two games, but Donnarumma seems certain to start at Old Trafford.
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Matthews Nunes: I don’t see Guardiola surprising at right-back, so Nunes should start again.
Max Alleyne: Based on Alleyne’s recent performances, he deserves to start in today’s Old Trafford derby. He looks ready to handle the pressure that comes with a Manchester derby.
Abdulkodir Kusanov: Like Alleyne, Kusanov should start today and his speed and power could be crucial.
Nico O’Reilly: Nathan Ake is out injured so I expect Nico O’Reilly to start at left back.
Rodri: It seems that Rodri is ready to start in the midfield today.
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Bernardo Silva: There is no doubt that the Manchester City captain will start at Old Trafford.
Rayan Cherki: In my opinion, today’s game against Manchester United is a choice between Foden and Cherki. Given Cherki’s performance against Newcastle, I’d give him the nod.
Antoine Semenho: Semenho is my choice to start on the right wing.
Jeremy Doku: Doku was outstanding against Newcastle and I picked him to start on the left wing.
Erling Haaland: Manchester City’s top goalscorer is battling fatigue but will start as usual. Haaland usually performs well on derby days and I’m expecting a big performance from the Norway international.
