How Manchester City could line up against Manchester United

Manchester City will be without the services of suspended centre-back Manuel Akanji for Sunday's Manchester derby against Manchester United at Old Trafford in the Premier League.

The Switzerland international was made to take the walk of shame in last weekend's 2-1 beating of Brighton & Hove Albion, having been sent off for a pair of bookable offences.

Aside from Akanji, Pep Guardiola is still working around Kevin De Bruyne's serious hamstring injury, which is expected to keep the Belgian out of action until the early weeks of the New Year.

However, the treble winners have no new concerns from their 3-1 Champions League win over BSC Young Boys in midweek, where Akanji opened the scoring in his homeland.

The banned Switzerland international will now make way for the returning John Stones, while Josko Gvardiol is also primed to come back into the rearguard, most likely over Nathan Ake.

Kyle Walker should complete the visitors' backline shake-up on the opposite side ahead of Rico Lewis, as Ruben Dias holds his spot in front of Ederson, who forced Stefan Ortega to reprise his backup role in midweek after missing the showdown with Brighton.

Alterations should not be limited to the Citizens' defensive barrier, as Bernardo Silva ought to demote Mateo Kovacic down to the bench in order to link arms with Rodri, while Phil Foden for Jack Grealish is a straight swap on the left.

Julian Alvarez - who already has four goals and four assists to show from nine Premier League games this term - is also in line for a recall alongside Jeremy Doku and Erling Haaland, whose brace at Stadion Wankdorf ended his five-game run without scoring in the Champions League.

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

> Click here to see how Man United could line up for Sunday's derby