Manchester City will be without suspended midfielder Manuel Akanji when they face Manchester United on Sunday.

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

Kevin De Bruyne is the only other absentee, with the key Belgian not scheduled to return until after the New Year.

Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez came off the bench in the midweek triumph over Young Boys and will return. The other spot behind Erling Haaland will be decided between Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku, with the former’s more subdued style likely to be picked.

City are presently second, behind Tottenham, but United, who finished third last season, have had a difficult 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