Manchester City travel to Bramall Lane to take on newly-promoted Sheffield United on Sunday, with Pep Guardiola absent after undergoing back surgery.
Pep Guardiola will not be at the game (Image: Getty Images)
Manchester City face the first of two games without manager Pep Guardiola on the touchline as they take on newly-promoted Sheffield United in the Premier League.
City have two wins from two as they begin their latest title defence, while Sheffield United have lost both games on their return to the top flight. The Blues should have Bernardo Silva back after two games out (including the Super Cup) with illness.
However, John Stones is out until after the September international break, joining Kevin De Bruyne on the sidelines. New signing Jeremy Doku, who completed his £55.5m move from Rennes on Thursday, will be available on the wing.
Phil Foden impressed in the attacking midfield role against Newcastle last weekend, and could get the chance to play there again, while Josko Gvardiol will be looking to retain his place at left-back.
ALSO READ: Man City reveal Jeremy Doku plan ahead of Sheffield United fixture
Read how our writers think City should line up at Bramall Lane and use the interactive team selector below to pick your best starting XI.
Simon Bajkowski
It is tempting to give Jeremy Doku his first start in a City shirt but Guardiola doesn’t need to be at Bramall Lane to know it is not one to underestimate. Bernardo Silva has trained normally this week after missing the last two games and should come in opposite Jack Grealish to support Erling Haaland.
Simon’s team to face Sheffield United
Julian Alvarez has impressed at the beginning of the campaign, yet his goal record away from home is much worse than it is at the Etihad. Phil Foden and Mateo Kovacic are perhaps better placed to supply the service and support to Haaland, with Alvarez – like Doku – ready to come off the bench as an explosive option.
Josko Gvardiol is another at the beginning of his City career and as he gets used to what he has to do at his new club the home game with Fulham feels like a better game to slip him in. Nathan Ake can return after his injury while the other three defenders pick themselves.
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Joe Bray
The temptation would be to bring back Bernardo Silva straight away and throw in Jeremy Doku from the start. However, City were impressive against Newcastle thanks to the Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez tactic of playing the pair in a dual number ten role, and that deserves another run-out against a Sheffield United side who will likely put 11 men behind the ball.
Kyle Walker can provide the width against his former club knowing there won’t be too many counter-attacking opportunities for the Blades, allowing Foden to move inside from the right wing to operate in the spaces next to Alvarez.
Joe has chosen his Man City starting XI
This would be a good game to play Josko Gvardiol again, but Nathan Ake was a substitute against Newcastle and can come back to play on the left instead. Gvardiol can come off the bench if needed – as can Bernardo later on, and also potential debutant Doku against a tiring defence.
Isaac Johnson
Guardiola refrained from using any substitutions last time out against Newcastle, possibly knowing he had a rare full week’s rest coming up. Fans will be eager to see Jeremy Doku get his first run out, and probably will, just not from the start.
It’s difficult to make a case for any player to be dropped from the win over the Magpies and traditionally, Guardiola keeps his most in-form players on the pitch. Once you’re out of the side, even if due to injury or illness, it’s hard to get back in – unless your name is Kevin De Bruyne.
Isaac’s line-up to face Sheffield United
But with the Belgian sidelined for some time, Foden can prove to onlookers he has the ability to be the star of the show for more than one night as he dovetails with Newcastle match-winner Alvarez behind Haaland in an unchanged XI.
