Man City XI vs Manchester United: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup, injury latest for Premier League | OneFootball

Enzo Maresca confirms key return for derby day at Old Trafford

Manchester City will have Nico O’Reilly back available for Sunday’s short derby trip to Manchester United in the Premier League, but Jeremy Doku remains sidelined.

O’Reilly was due to start for City in last weekend’s 1-0 win over newly-promoted Coventry at the Etihad Stadium, but withdrew late on after suffering a back injury during the warm-up.

He was replaced by new £125million signing Enzo Fernandez, who made an unexpected debut in the midfield engine room alongside £116m recruit Elliot Anderson.

O’Reilly did not play on Tuesday either as Man City opened their Champions League campaign with a 2-0 victory against Porto in Portugal, but his issue was not deemed as serious and he was expected to be back in contention for the Manchester derby at Old Trafford.

Manager Enzo Maresca has now confirmed as much, though star winger Doku is still unavailable with the calf problem he sustained during the comprehensive Community Shield defeat by title rivals Arsenal in Cardiff last month.

“Nico is 100 per cent available but Jeremy, I think he needs some more days,” the former Chelsea boss said at his pre-match press conference on Friday.

Doku could return when City host Championship side Norwich in the third round of the Carabao Cup next Thursday, with a visit from Sunderland to follow that before the start of an extended three-week international break, after which Maresca’s side face Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain in back-to-back matches.

Return: Nico O’Reilly has shaken off a back injury suffered in the warm-up against Coventry

PA

Gianluigi Donnarumma will be in goal for City as usual in the derby, with Ruben Dias and Marc Guehi set to continue their centre-back partnership and Josko Gvardiol likely retaining his place at left-back.

Matheus Nunes made his first start of the season against Porto in midweek following an ankle injury and could keep his spot on the opposite side of defence, ahead of Abdukodir Khusanov.

Maresca must decide whether to retain the expensive midfield duo of Fernandez and Anderson or else bring in the fit-again O’Reilly, whose versatility allows him to play in multiple positions across the pitch.

Erling Haaland will lead the attack, with Rayan Cherki just behind and Antoine Semenyo on the left. Phil Foden replaced new signing Iliman Ndiaye against Porto and could get the nod again here down the right flank, given his fine record against United that currently stands at seven goals.

Injured: Doku