Sky Sports, who tend to have more inside information than your humble Guardian, think a) United will play with a diamond and split strikers and b) Diogo Dalot will play at left-back. This is how they have the United formation.
Man Utd (4-D-2) Onana; Dalot, Varane, Evans, Lindelof; Casemiro; Fernandes, Mainoo; McTominay; Rashford, Garnacho.
Substitutes: Bayindir, Kambwala, Ogunneye, Amrabat, Eriksen, Forson, Collyer, Diallo, Antony.
Pep speaks
We know the strengths and qualities they have. [What are they?] The manager, Erik, knows the plan better than me. We’ll try to work it out as soon as possible and use the right doses of energy – not too much, not too little – to try to perform well.
When [Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne, who both start] perform at a high leve, it’s an incredible weapon for us. Jeremy [Doku] has been amazing this season, especially for his first season. We need somebody who can dribble in the final third and he has this quality.
Full time: Burnley 0-2 Bournemouth
The early Premier League didn’t go to plan for City legend Vincent Kompany, whose Burnley side were again beaten. John Brewin has more.
Jamie Jackson on Bruno Fernandes
Jonathan Wilson on Erling Haaland
Our survey says…
Pep Guardiola makes three changes from City’s last league game, a 1-0 win at Bournbemouth eight days ago: Kyle Walker, Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku replace Manuel Akanji, Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes.
Erik ten Hag has made two changes from the league defeat at home to Fulham. Jonny Evans comes in for the injured Harry Maguire and Scott McTominay replaces Omari Forson. That means some form of tactical switch – either a midfield diamond or Bruno Fernandes playing on the wing.
Man City (possible 4-1-2-3) Ederson; Walker, Stones, Dias, Ake; Rodri; De Bruyne, Bernardo; Foden, Haaland, Doku.
Substitutes: Ortega, Gvardiol, Akanji, Lewis, Kovacic, Gomez, Nunes, Bobb, Alvarez.
Man Utd (possible 4-1-4-1) Onana; Dalot, Varane, Evans, Lindelof; Casemiro; Fernandes, McTominay, Mainoo, Garnacho; Rashford.
Substitutes: Bayindir, Kambwala, Ogunneye, Amrabat, Eriksen, Forson, Collyer, Diallo, Antony.
Referee Andy Madley.
Hello and welcome to live coverage of the Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium. On paper, this is a mouthwatering prospect. City are on a run of 14 wins in 15 games; United have won their last six away from home. In reality, few people of sound mind give United a prayer. Last season they lost 6-3 at City and were flattered, seriously flattered, by the scoreline. The days of regularly winning at the Etihad are long gone; Ole Gunnar Solskjaer isn’t the manager any more.
The only metric (drink!) in which United trump City is, alas, the number of injuries. They are without at least three and arguably six of the side Erik ten Hag would like to play today, which makes things look even bleaker on the slim-to-noneometer.
All logic points to a City win, possibly a whopper. But football doesn’t always do logic, which is why this could yet be the greatest game you’ll see in your entire life. Best keep refreshing the page just in case.
Kick off 3.30pm.