Man City vs Man Utd: Predicted lineups today and confirmed team news | Football

Manchester City and Manchester United are both desperate to spark their seasons into life when they meet in the first Manchester derby of the season today.

Both sides have spent big and rebuilt in key areas this summer but are still yet to truly get going this term.

Ruben Amorim is under the spotlight already with his side far from convincing in their opening three Premier League games but United sit above City in the table ahead of kick-off.

Back-to-back defeats to Tottenham and Brighton have seen Pep Guardiola’s side take just three points from a possible nine with more injury problems adding to their woes.

John Stones has been back at the heart of the defence this season but withdrew from the England squad ahead of the game against Andorra due to a ‘muscle issue’ he arrived at the training camp with.  He has been ruled out of today’s game along with Rayan Ait-Nouri.

Rayan Cherki is ruled out for at least two months as the result of a thigh injury while Omar Marmoush also joined the list of casualties when he picked up a knee injury playing for Egypt.

While Guardiola is hopeful it is a case of the forward being out for weeks rather than months, he will have no role to play today.

Abdukodir Khusanov and Josko Gvardiol are available again however along with Phil Foden.

Gianluigi Donnarumma meanwhile is in line to come in and make his debut for City today.

United also have a new face in goal but Amorim has already confirmed he plans to stick with Altay Bayindir rather than throw Senne Lammens straight in at the deep end.

United picked up two injury problems of their own heading into the break. Matheus Cunha was forced off in the first-half against Burnley with Mason Mount also forced off at the break.

Diogo Dalot meanwhile withdrew from the Portugal squad with a muscle injury with all three players unavailable today.

Injuries for Cunha and or Mount could see Bruno Fernandes shifted back into a more advanced role alongside Bryan Mbeumo – a scenario that could also open up space for Kobbie Mainoo to start his first league start of the season.

However, Amorim could easily look at a more conservative approach and bring in Manuel Ugarte to partner Casemiro and leave Mainoo on the bench again.

Benjamin Sesko meanwhile is hoping to make his first start in the Premier League. Given City’s frailities at the back, unleashing the Slovenian will be a tempting option for Amorim.

Man City XI to face Man Utd – Metro prediction

Guardiola also has a big decision in goal andi Donnarumma could be in line to come straight into the starting XI for his new side at the expense of James Trafford.

Man Utd XI to face Man City – Metro prediction

With Lammens only joining his teammates in training for the first time this week, the Belgian seems set to wait another week for his debut.

Amorim has the option to bring Mainoo into the team – either in central midfield with Fernandes pushed into attack or taking one of those no10 roles left occupied by the injured Cunha.

Man City vs Man Utd TV channel and kick-off time

Brentford vs Chelsea takes place on Sunday 14 September with kick-off scheduled for 4:30pm.

You can watch the match live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event with streaming also available through the Sky Go app and NOW TV for subscribers.

You can also follow all the action with Metro’s LIVE blog.

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