Manchester City and Manchester United have confirmed their starting lineups ahead of the 192nd Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium this afternoon. Both teams will be desperate for three points for contrasting reasons. But being a derby both teams will be keen for bragging rights at the final whistle.
For Manchester City they will be desperate for three points to keep pace with Premier League leaders Liverpool. Pep Guardiola’s side sit four points behind Jurgen Klopp’s team before today’s game. A win for City would put them one point behind the league leaders ahead of their trip to Anfield next weekend.
Pep Guardiola and Manchester City will have to face United without Jack Grealish. The England international will miss today’s game due a groin injury he sustained against Luton Town. There hasn’t been a timeline set for his return. Josko Gvardiol could return to the City lineup today as he begins his comeback from an ankle ligament injury.
Here are the starting lineups ahead of today’s crucial encounter. With bragging rights and potential ramifications for Manchester City’s title aspirations on the line a huge game awaits at the Etihad.
Manchester City
Pep Guardiola has made 5 changes to the team that beat Luton Town 6-2 in midweek. In comes Ederson, Ruben Dias, Rodri, Jeremy Doku and Phil Foden. Out goes Jack Grealish, Stefan Ortega, Mateo Kovacic, Matheus Nunes and Manuel Akanji.
Josko Gvardiol returns to the City bench after being out with an ankle ligament injury in a boost to the Manchester City squad.
Starters: Ederson, Walker, Dias, Stones, Ake, Rodri, Bernardo Silva, De Bruyne, Foden, Doku, Haaland.
Substitutes: Stefan Ortega, Kovacic, Alvarez, Gomez, Gvardiol, Akanji, Nunes, Bobb, Lewis.
In the blue corner for #MCIMUN! 👊🩵
XI | Ederson, Walker (C), Stones, Dias, Ake, Rodrigo, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Foden, Doku, Haaland
SUBS | Ortega Moreno, Kovacic, Alvarez, Gomez, Gvardiol, Akanji, Nunes, Bobb, Lewis#ManCity | @etihad pic.twitter.com/9HBTctqtXJ
— Manchester City (@ManCity) March 3, 2024
Manchester United
Starting in the red corner! 🔴#MUFC || #MCIMUN
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) March 3, 2024
