Manchester City predicted XI v Manchester United as £53m man comes in and Jahmai Simpson-Pusey decision made

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Manchester City will be desperate to get back to winning ways when they face arch-rivals Manchester United in Sunday’s derby at the Etihad Stadium.

The Citizens have won just once in their last 10 games across all competitions after losing 2-0 away at Juventus in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

Manchester City face a Manchester United side showing signs of recovery under new manager Ruben Amorim and winning in the Europa League in midweek.

TBR Football looks at who Man City boss Pep Guardiola could name in his starting XI for the visit of the Old Trafford side.

READ MORE: Where each Premier League club is predicted to finish in the Champions League table and who could await in playoffs

Manchester City team news v Manchester United

Man City are currently in the midst of a defensive crisis, with John Stones, Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji all injured and Rico Lewis suspended.

“I don’t know what I have to do. I need players. We have three and we will see what happens today and tomorrow,” Guardiola told reporters in Friday’s press conference.

“Maybe some winger has to play as a full-back or Matheus [Nunes] can play as a full-back, or maybe can play five at the back with wing-backs as wingers.

“We are thinking what to do with a situation with just three central defenders.”

Rodri and Oscar Bobb are long-term absentees, but Mateo Kovacic and Phil Foden were on the bench against Juventus, suggesting they could feature on Sunday.

Matheus Nunes tipped to start for Man City v Man United

The back four will be Guardiola’s biggest dilemma, with the real prospect of Jahmai Simpson-Pusey being thrown in at the deep end in the derby game.

However, we predict Man City will opt for experience and name Matheus Nunes at left-back after the £53million man’s brief appearance there against Crystal Palace.

Kyle Walker is likely to play at right-back, while Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol could play at centre-back against a Man United side boasting an in-form Rasmus Hojlund.

Ilkay Gundogan impressed against Juventus and is likely to be in the XI as Kovacic may not be ready to start just yet.

Kevin De Bruyne was also great against Juve and he could also start alongside Bernardo Silva in the middle of the park.

As for the front line, Guardiola is likely to go for Erling Haaland up top, with Jack Grealish potentially on the left and Jeremy Doku on the right.

Manchester City predicted starting XI v Manchester United (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Walker, Gvardiol, Dias, Nunes; Gundogan, Silva; Doku, De Bruyne, Grealish; Haaland