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Pep Guardiola and his Manchester City side will be confident of making it 16 straight Premier League wins as rivals Manchester United visit the Etihad for Sunday’s top-of-the-table clash.
Manchester City are on an incredible 21-game winning run in all competitions and haven't lost in the league since November 21. Ole's Manchester United are second in the league, but are now looking over their shoulder at other top-four hopefuls, rather than up towards Manchester City after drawing four of their last five league games.
Manchester City will, for the first time this season, have everyone fit. Long-term absentee Nathan Ake has returned to training and could make the bench this Sunday. There are no other injury-related issues for Pep Guardiola heading into the game.
Manchester United's Paul Pogba and Phil Jones remain sidelined by injury while David de Gea traveled to Spain for the birth of his child and will miss out again. Victor Lindelof’s chronic back problem leaves him in doubt along with Anthony Martial and Donny Van de Beek.
The two teams played out a goalless draw at Old Trafford earlier this season, but Manchester City overcame Manchester United in the EFL Cup at the start of January courtesy of a 2-0 win. Keeping all that in mind, let us take a look at the 5 key players for this epic derby:
#5 Rúben Dias
Manchester City have been breaking records for fun and a lot of credit for their defensive stability should go to summer signing Rúben Dias. The 23-year old is the ideal centre-back for a Guardiola-managed side with his wide range of passing and solid defending.
Eyebrows were raised at the money spent on the Portuguese defender but he has proved his worth and is arguably the signing of the season.
It will be a challenge for the young defender to take on the likes of Edinson Cavani and he will have to be at his best to numb the Uruguayan's influence on the match. Not only is he solid at the back, but Dias has also been a threat from set-plays too and scored an important goal against West Ham in a 2-1 win.
#4 Bruno Fernandes
We move to another Portuguese who has been unstoppable since he joined the Premier League. Bruno Fernandes has been instrumental in Manchester United’s possession, drifting around the pitch to receive the ball and creating dangerous goalscoring opportunities in the half-space.
It is safe to say Manchester United revolve around Bruno Fernandes and he will always be a key player for Manchester United.
Fernandes has blanked in his last 3 games in all competitions, a bit of a drought considering his standards. The midfielder's record against the 'Big 6' has been subject to harsh criticism from football fans around the world but Bruno has a chance to set it right against Manchester City, the most in-form team in Europe.
#3 Phil Foden
The departure of David Silva meant that Phil Foden was finally going to have his breakthrough season with the first team. The young talent has scored 11 goals and notched six assists in all competitions and has caught Pep Guardiola's attention.
Foden has an outstanding first touch, close control, balance, and poise on the ball and is always a threat with his forward-thinking passing and dribbling. His manager advised him to combine different rhythms in order to be an exceptional player.
With Manchester City and Pep, you never know who is going to make the playing eleven. If Foden does get minutes on the field, he is definitely one people should keep their eyes on.
#2 Marcus Rashford
With exceptional skill and raging confidence, Marcus Rashford is the benchmark of talent, making it the biggest league in England. Manchester United have relied on Rashford and the young star has delivered for Ole and his team, but recent performances have been a talking point for the team.
Only two of Rashford’s nine Premier League goals this term have come in his last 12 outings. It was revealed that the England international has been playing with a shoulder injury that may require surgery.
Rashford has been United's big-game player for a few seasons now. Dias' biggest weakness is susceptibility to fast players and thus defending open space, which is something Marcus Rashford will have his eye on.
The winger will have loads of space to make his runs against Manchester City, which could turn out to be a major difference.
#1 Dean Henderson
David de Gea will be granted all the time he needs to return to contention for Manchester United following the birth of his first child. This means Dean Henderson is set to start in goal for Sunday’s derby at the Etihad.
Dean Henderson was a massive part of Sheffield's success last season and is a terrific goalkeeper. Henderson is immense when it comes to claiming crosses. The Englishman is also good with his feet.
Ole is confident that Henderson is ready for the challenge that awaits him at the Etihad Stadium this weekend and will look to put the new keeper under pressure.
