Man City have injury doubt with seven already ruled out vs Manchester United

Manchester City take on Manchester United in the derby on Saturday and are waiting on injury news ahead of the Premier League game

Manchester City are waiting to see if Nico Gonzalez can return to face Manchester United with seven players already ruled out. The midfielder missed the Carabao Cup win at Newcastle after a knock in the Brighton draw and may not recover in time.

"He's injured. He didn't recover well, he made an effort but it's a step back," said Guardiola, speaking before the game. Nico O'Reilly started in his absence, with Rodri coming off the bench; the latter will be lined up to start at Old Trafford if he is fit.

City were boosted at Newcastle by the return of Rayan Ait-Nouri from the Africa Cup of Nations, but Guardiola will still be missing seven players. Omar Marmoush is still at the tournament for Egypt's third-place play-off and there are six injuries to contend with.

Guardiola is missing three centre-backs in Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol and John Stones with none expected to return. Oscar Bobb, Savinho, and Mateo Kovacic are also long-term absentees, although Antoine Semenyo and Max Alleyne will be available after coming to the club this month.

Despite the absences, City will head to Old Trafford as favourites - as they have been in pretty much every derby during Guardiola's decade at the club. The City boss was asked ahead of the game if he would have liked to enjoy more title races against his neighbours during his time in England.

"It is what it is," he said. "I cannot control what United have done since day one. The opinion I have of Man United and what happened, I don't know because I'm not there."