Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has made six changes to his starting lineup for Sunday's Manchester derby against bitter rivals Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium.
The Citizens, who beat Peterborough United in the FA Cup fifth round on Tuesday, will be looking to move six points clear at the top of the Premier League and claim their first home win against the Red Devils since November 2018.
Injured centre-backs Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake are among the players not selected this afternoon, while Oleksandr Zinchenko, Fernandinho, Ilkay Gundogan and Gabriel Jesus all drop to the substitutes' bench after starting in midweek.
Your City XI to face United! 🔵🔴
— Manchester City (@ManCity) March 6, 2022
XI | Ederson, Walker, Stones, Laporte, Cancelo, Rodrigo, De Bruyne (C), Bernardo, Mahrez, Grealish, Foden
SUBS | Carson, Sterling, Gundogan, Jesus, Zinchenko, Fernandinho, Delap, Mbete, McAtee#ManCity | @HaysTechnology pic.twitter.com/K4GMHkyIWZ
Joining Stones and Laporte in defence, Kyle Walker returns at right-back, allowing Joao Cancelo to switch to left-back, while Rodri replaces Fernandinho as the sole pivot, with playmakers Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva joining the Spaniard in centre-midfield.
Stockport-born Phil Foden operated in a three-man midfield in midweek, but he starts in the attacking front three this afternoon, with Riyad Mahrez on the right flank and Jack Grealish set to begin on the left wing.
Academy graduates Liam Delap, James McAtee and Luke Mbete are all names on the substitutes' bench, as is Raheem Sterling, who is still searching for his first ever goal against Man United at the 24th attempt.
Oliver Thomas
