How Manchester City could line up against Sheffield United

Manchester City new boy Jeremy Doku is in line to make his debut for the Premier League champions when they face Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Sunday afternoon.

The Belgian protege arrived from Rennes in a £55.8m deal on Thursday, but Pep Guardiola - who will hand the reins over to assistant Juanma Lillo while he recovers from back surgery - should name his third summer signing on the bench, as Bernardo Silva is set to make his belated return from illness.

The Portugal international has also put pen to paper recently - signing a new contract at the Etihad until 2026 - and his reward could be an immediate recall to the right-hand side of the attack.

Silva's return leaves Man City with two guaranteed absentees, as Kevin De Bruyne continues his lengthy rehabilitation from a hamstring injury, while John Stones is likely to be out until after the international break with a thigh injury.

With neither Julian Alvarez nor Phil Foden expected to cede their spots in the attack thanks to their crucial contributions against Newcastle United, Jack Grealish could make way for Silva, as the effervescent Foden switches to the left flank.

Erling Haaland will aim to consign his quiet evening against the Magpies to history, while Rodri and Mateo Kovacic are poised to pair up in the engine room once more, as Maximo Perrone prepares to ply his trade with Las Palmas on loan.

Aside from Silva's introduction, Nathan Ake is surely the only other player with a realistic chance of forcing their way into the XI, but Guardiola may see no need to alter Ederson's defensive barrier of Josko Gvardiol, Manuel Akanji, Ruben Dias and Kyle Walker.

Manchester City possible starting lineup: Ederson; Walker, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Rodri, Kovacic; Silva, Alvarez, Foden; Haaland