Sheffield United v Manchester City: Premier League – live

You’re dropped son

A very smiley Juanma Lillo talks to Sky Sports

Pep isn’t here physically but he’s been with us every step of the way in our preparation, and he’ll be with us today. Manuel Akanji wasn’t feeling very well. I’m not the doctor so I can’t give you an exact reason why he’s not here. We have to make use of our big, impressive squad.

“Any chance,” begins Gary Naylor, “that the surgeons who operated on Pep Guardiola’s bad back can do something about Sean Dyche’s bad side?”

Don’t worry, you’re 10th in the xG table. If everyone holds their nerve – and, crucially, if they don’t sack Dyche – I think you’ll stay up.

Juanma Lillo will be the main man in the City dugout this afternoon, with Pep Guardiola recovering from back surgery. I was going to say Lillo will be in. charge, but we all know Pep will send him 427 WhatsApp messages, and that’s just before kick-off.

We’ll also have goal updates from Burnley v Aston Villa, which kicks off at 2pm. Here are the teams for that game.

Sheffield United make one change from the side that lost at Nottingham Forest: George Baldock replaces the injured Max Lowe.

Pep, the contrary bugger, has left Phil Foden out again despite his outstanding performance against Newcastle last weekend. Bernardo Silva replaces him and Nathan Ake comes in for the (presumably) injured Manuel Akanji. The new signing Jeremy Doku is on the bench.

Sheffield United (possible 3-4-2-1) Foderingham; Ahmedhodzic, Egan, Robinson; Baldock, Norwood, Souza, Osborn; Hamer, Traore; Osula.
Substitutes: Davies, Trusty, Basham, Bogle, Larouci, Coulibaly, Brooks, McBurnie, Marsh.

Manchester City (possible 4-2-3-1) Ederson; Walker, Dias, Gvardiola, Ake; Rodri, Kovacic; Bernardo, Alvarez, Haaland, Grealish.
Substitutes: Ortega, Lewis, Phillips, Gomez, Foden, Bobb, Palmer, McAtee, Doku.

Referee Jarred Gillett.

We’re carrying on with the Premier League season, are we? It already feels a bit futile, certainly for those hoping to win the title. Manchester City are the only team left with a 100 per cent record, and they’ll go top if they win at Bramall Lane today.

There’s more than one way to skin the Premier League. City spent most of last season in second place, waiting for Arsenal to have a meltdown. This year, they look in the mood leave everyone in their slipstream. Despite plenty of adversity – Pep Guardiola’s back, Kevin De Bruyne’s hamstring, the departure of a number of players – they look far too good for everyone else. Happy new season!

Kick off 2pm.