Man City XI v Manchester United: Predicted Lineup and Team News for Derby Clash

Old Trafford awaits. The Manchester derby returns on Sunday afternoon, steeped in its usual blend of edge, ego, and expectancy. For Manchester City, this latest chapter offers more than just local bragging rights — it is an opportunity to reassert dominance over a rival still in transition, still learning what it takes to stay in stride with the champions.

Injuries Shape Guardiola’s Options

City’s season, though decorated with moments of brilliance, has been anything but smooth. Injuries continue to chip away at the squad’s core. Erling Haaland, sidelined with an ankle problem suffered after scoring against Bournemouth in the FA Cup, will not feature. His return is pencilled in for late May at best.

Rodri, the metronome of City’s midfield, remains out with a ruptured ACL — a loss Guardiola’s side has often felt more keenly than any other. Defensively, the picture is equally strained. Nathan Ake, John Stones, and Manuel Akanji are all unavailable, leaving City’s back line threadbare ahead of one of their most testing fixtures of the campaign.

Guardiola confirmed there were no new updates on the injury front, with his pre-match press conference instead dominated by discussion around Kevin De Bruyne’s future.

De Bruyne Bids for Another Derby Masterclass

As it stands, the Belgian maestro is expected to leave Manchester City at the end of the season. After a decade at the heart of the club’s evolution, he now seeks a new challenge. But first, he remains integral to City’s pursuit of success — and there will be few more fitting stages than Old Trafford for him to deliver another reminder of his enduring class.

Guardiola said: “[De Bruyne] is one of the league’s greatest midfielders… there is no doubt he is one of the greatest with his consistency.”

De Bruyne’s derby record reads well: three goals and six assists in 21 appearances. He is expected to start in a creative three behind the striker, pulling strings and setting tempo as he so often has.

Marmoush to Lead the Line

With Haaland sidelined, Omar Marmoush is expected to retain his place up front. The Egyptian international found the net against Leicester in midweek and has looked sharp when deputising. In Guardiola’s fluid system, the No.9 role is less about presence and more about movement, and Marmoush offers both.

Behind him, Phil Foden, Jeremy Doku, and De Bruyne should form a dynamic ...