PEP GUARDIOLA RECALLS £40M STAR AND PROMOTES HIM TO FIRST-TEAM ALONG WITH THREE MAN CITY WONDERKIDS FOR MAN UTD CLASH

The Manchester derby always carries the weight of a city’s soul, but this Sunday’s clash at the Etihad Stadium feels like a pivotal reset for Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.

With the Blues mired in 13th place after back-to-back defeats to Tottenham and Brighton—rare stumbles in Guardiola’s near-decade of dominance—the spotlight burns hottest on his squad.

It’s a team in flux, reshaped by a ruthless summer overhaul that saw veterans like Kevin De Bruyne depart for Napoli, Ilkay Gundogan to Galatasaray, Kyle Walker to Burnley, and even long-serving goalkeeper Ederson to without adaptation. “We need a big presence,” Guardiola admitted in his pre-derby presser, hinting at a tactical pivot away from sweeper-keeper duties toward a more commanding shot-stopper.

Donnarumma, with his World Cup-winning pedigree, could make his debut between the posts, edging out young James Trafford in a nod to the Italian’s proven mettle in white-hot atmospheres. It’s a bold stroke, especially against Ruben Amorim’s United, who boast Altay Bayindir in goal but carry their own baggage from a dismal 15th-place finish last term.

Yet the real intrigue lies in the brand-new talent poised to dazzle. Omar Marmoush, the electric Egyptian forward poached from Eintracht Frankfurt, was set to spearhead City’s attack alongside Erling Haaland—Guardiola even paid glowing tribute to the Norwegian’s “lust for revenge” after those early-season slips.

But a knee injury on international duty rules Marmoush out, thrusting untested options into the fray. Enter Rayan Cherki, the silky Lyon playmaker whose creativity could unlock United’s stubborn backline, if he shakes off his own fitness niggles.

And then there’s Rayan Ait-Nouri, the dynamic Wolves left-back whose pace and crossing scream Guardiola’s inverted full-back blueprint—though he’s sidelined too, forcing Rico Lewis or Josko Gvardiol to improvise.

The injury toll is brutal: up to 13 players potentially sidelined, including Phil Foden (ankle), John Stones (muscle), Abdukodir Khusanov, Mateo Kovacic, Savinho, and Nico O’Reilly. “When you change 10 players in four or five months, everything needs settling,” Guardiola reflected, his voice laced with that familiar intensity.

It’s a testament to his genius that, amid this chaos, he envisions cohesion. Homegrown gems like Lewis and O’Reilly embody City’s academy ethos, ready to blend with imports like Cherki and Donnarumma for a hybrid squad that’s faster, hungrier, but raw. Haaland remains the talisman, his predatory instincts a constant, while Rodri’s return from long-term absence promises midfield steel against Bruno Fernandes’ flair.

United arrive ninth, licking wounds from a Grimsby Town cup shock but buoyed by Amorim’s unbeaten record over Guardiola—two wins in their last meetings, including a 2-1 Etihad heist last December. Yet City’s home form in derbies is storied: they’ve lost just three of the last 14.

Guardiola, in his ninth season, the longest of his career, won’t settle for a third straight league loss. This isn’t just rivalry; it’s redemption. As the clock ticks to 4:30 p.m., expect Donnarumma’s gloves to be tested early, Cherki’s tricks to tease gaps, and Haaland’s boots to thunder. Guardiola’s calls—big, unapologetic—could forge a new dynasty or expose fractures. In Manchester’s divided heart, the Blues’ fresh faces hold the key to glory.