Manchester City will play Manchester United on Sunday without suspended midfielder Manuel Akanji.

Akanji was sent off against Brighton for two bookable offenses and will miss the Manchester derby. In any case, the preferred starting center backs are John Stones and Ruben Dias.

The only other absentee is Kevin De Bruyne, who is not expected to return until after the New Year.

Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez both came off the bench in the midweek win over Young Boys and will be back. Behind Erling Haaland, the other position will be contested between Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku, with the former’s more restrained style likely to be chosen.

City are currently second in the table, one point behind Tottenham, but United, who finished third last season, have had a rough start to the season, losing four of their first nine games.

While City is six points and a position ahead of United, Pep Guardiola is wary after Erik Ten Hag’s side won the comparable match last season.

“United have always had that feeling – it doesn’t matter who the manager is – they are a tough, tough opponent,” Guardiola said.

“The qualities of the individuals they have, the stadium, the character they have, the momentum. They can score goals, we know the quality they have. Always that has been and always it will be.”

Manchester City predicted XI: Ederson; Walker, Stones, Dias, Gvardiol; Rodri, Silva; Grealish, Alvarez, Foden; Haaland

Out: De Bruyne, Akanji (suspended)

Time and date: 3.30pm on Sunday, October 29, 2023

Venue: Old Trafford