Pep Guardiola and Ruben Amorim will both be forced to be bold with their team selections for the Manchester derby this afternoon.
Man City host local rivals United for the first derby of the season with both clubs in desperate need of a morale-boosting victory.
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Premier League champions City thought they’d turned a corner in their sliding form after a 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest last week.
However, Guardiola’s men lost further ground in the race to defend their crown on Saturday following a 2-2 draw at Crystal Palace.
The club are eight points behind leaders Liverpool, who also have a game in hand, and could slip out of the top four with another defeat.
Their Manchester neighbours are in even more dire straits following a quick end to the new manager bounce under Amorim.
An emphatic win over Everton was followed up with two losses to Arsenal and Forest within a week to leave United in 13th.
Amorim will be buoyed by his impressive Champions League victory over Guardiola’s City with former club Sporting Lisbon last month.
Man City
Guardiola’s defensive crisis deepened after Rico Lewis received a controversial red card at Selhurst Park.
After equalising for City against Palace, the 20-year-old was sent off after being booked twice – first for dissent, and then for a foul.
Replays later showed Lewis was wrongly penalised for his challenge on Trevor Chalobah but his ban can’t be overturned as it was the result of two yellow cards, not a straight red.
His one-match domestic suspension means Josko Gvardiol will be needed to return to the left after a short stint at centre-back.
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Guardiola will be hoping one of the three absentees he has in that position can partner Ruben Dias at the heart of his defence.
Manuel Akanj seems the most likely, with Nathan Ake and John Stones both struggling with more severe fitness issues this term.
In goal, Stefan Ortega has played three consecutive Premier League matches but Guardiola has insisted Ederson remains his No.1 choice.
The Brazilian’s trademark vision and ability to play out from the back would be valuable against United, but his return to the starting eleven saw him concede twice once more away in Juventus.
Ederson did register his fourth Premier League assist earlier this season – one more than Antony – and would back himself to increase that tally by exploiting the space behind Man United’s fullbacks.
In midfield, Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan would be the safe pairing Rodri still in the treatment room, but Mateo Kovacic may be fit to start after returning to the bench on Wednesday.
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However, Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku could both retain their spots in the starting XI despite City’s struggles in Turin.
Grealish will be desperate to build upon his new central position where he was deployed again in Italy after first starring in the 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest.
The England international had almost exclusively operated from the left wing under Guardiola before the change in tactics last week helped inspire City to their only win in their past nine games.
Grealish’s assuredness in possession and ability to drive City up the pitch would alleviate issues Gundogan could face with United’s press.
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The inclusion of the former Aston Villa captain will negate the need for Matheus Nunes, with Doku’s speed a more vital asset to attack.
The Belgian registered a goal and assist against Forest before being rested against Palace and reclaimed his spot on the left in midweek.
Doku’s international captain Kevin De Bruyne is a no-brainer to play in the No.10 role behind Erling Haaland if fit.
Guardiola’s final selection headache will come on the right, with Silva set to play either in this position or in a deeper midfield role.
The Portugueses’ defensive qualities may be needed in transition to counter United’s fast breaks as opposed to what Phil Foden offers.
The latter has struggled for fitness and form this season and has missed the past two matches because of bronchitis.
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Manchester United
Amorim has had precious little time to learn about his new players as he works on implementing his favoured 3-4-3 system.
Andre Onana’s position between the sticks remains nailed on despite the Cameroonian’s major mishap in the loss to Forest on Saturday.
Matthijs de Ligt has been Amorim’s preferred pick as the central defender in his back three, with Lisando Martinez on the left.
Leny Yoro endured a baptism of fire on his first Premier League start and Noussair Mazraoui will likely be needed on the opposite flank.
Diogo Dalot and Amad Diallo are Amorim’s settled options at wingback, with Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte in midfield.
A decision will be needed over the two attacking no.10s, with Alejandro Garnacho in hot water following the Forest defeat.
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The Argentine has been a regular under Amorim but more social media antics put him under fire – this time at the expense of international teammate Martinez.
Marcus Rashford has netted two goals in his past four Premier League meetings with City, including a stunner in this fixture in March.
The 27-year-old notched the first goal of the Amorim era after 81 seconds against Ipswich while playing as the number nine.
He reverted to his more orthodox left-wing role and scored a brace against Everton but has since been relegated to the bench.
Rashford did little to help his case against Viktoria Plzen though, with Mason Mount instead laying down a strong case to be involved.
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The former Chelsea star has failed to provide a single-goal contribution in 389 minutes of action but has a huge fan in Amorim.
“Mason Mount… I have to tell you I love that kid,” Amorim said last month.
“You can look in his eyes that he wants this so bad. And this is the most important thing for me.
“I know he was suffering from injuries, he was not on the pitch, but now he’s trying to stay fit and we hope he can continue to be fit, to show all the talent that he’s shown, for example, in Chelsea.”
Mount’s 29-minute cameo off the bench on Thursday proved the catalyst in United turning around their fortunes, and his tireless work off the ball will be sorely needed against City’s possession-heavy side.
United captain Bruno Fernandes will take up the other attacking midfield position with Rasmus Hojlund leading.
The Danish striker added another two goals on top of scoring the Red Devils’ opener against Forest and offers a more physical presence to hold up play and run in behind than Joshua Zirkzee.
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Man City vs Man United: How to follow
This Premier League clash will take place on Sunday, December 15.
Kick-off at the Etihad is at 4:30pm and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League.
talkSPORT Sunday Session will also keep you up to date with all the latest news and reaction with Sam Matterface.
Meanwhile, talkSPORT.com will have live updates of the game on our dedicated live blog.
To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream.
You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.