Manchester City 'to spend four days in Ukraine next week'

Manchester City will reportedly spend four days in Ukraine next week as part of their preparations for the huge showdown with Manchester United.

The Citizens have enjoyed a near-faultless campaign to date, dropping points in just one of their 14 Premier League fixtures and remaining unbeaten in all competitions.

Pep Guardiola's men face their biggest test yet in nine days' time when heading to the home of rivals United, which comes on the back of a trip to Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League.

Despite City already progressing through to the last 16 of the competition as group winners, Guardiola intends to spend a prolonged amount of time in Ukraine.

According to the Daily Mail, City will arrive in the Eastern European country 48 hours before the dead-rubber and will not jet back to Manchester until the Thursday afternoon.

Guardiola's itinerary is in contrast to opposite number Jose Mourinho's, who prefers to return home from European away ties at the earliest possible opportunity.