SM
Saturday, June 15
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data
MU
Premier League | Gameweek 20
Jan 14, 2023 at 12.30pm UK
Old Trafford
MC

Man Utd
2 - 1
Man City

Fernandes (78'), Rashford (82')
Eriksen (64'), Fred (88'), Casemiro (89')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Grealish (60')

Manchester City's John Stones ruled out of Manchester United clash

:Headline: Manchester City's John Stones ruled out of Manchester United clash:
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola confirms that John Stones is "not ready" to face rivals Manchester United in the Premier League on Saturday.
Sports Mole

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed that defender John Stones is "not ready" to face rivals Manchester United in the Premier League on Saturday lunchtime.

The 28-year-old missed City's disappointing 2-0 defeat against Southampton in the EFL Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday, as he was not deemed fully fit to feature at St Mary's.

Stones has secured a regular starting spot under Guardiola in recent weeks, starting each of their last six league games, more than any other City defender during this period.

Indeed, the Englishman has been in fine form for the Citizens since the World Cup break and put in a man-of-the-match display in their most recent Premier League outing against Chelsea, winning 1-0 at Stamford Bridge on January 5.

However, the reigning Premier League champions will have to cope without their No.5 when they travel to Old Trafford on Saturday, with Guardiola confirming at his pre-match press conference that the defender is "not ready" to return.

Guardiola has also said that "everyone else is fit" in his first-team squad, meaning there could be a return to the matchday squad for centre-back Ruben Dias.

The 25-year-old has not featured for the Citizens since he sustained a hamstring injury while on international duty with Portugal at the 2022 World Cup.

Dias is seemingly unlikely to be thrown straight into the starting lineup after several weeks on the sidelines, so Manuel Akanji, Aymeric Laporte and Nathan Ake are set to battle for a place in central defence.

Ake could be named at left-back, though, with Joao Cancelo having lost his regular starting place in recent weeks, while Sergio Gomez endured a difficult night against Southampton in midweek.

Man City head into the 189th Manchester derby sitting second in the Premier League table, five points behind leaders Arsenal, who face North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

Guardiola understands the magnitude of Saturday's fixture, but believes that there are still plenty more games remaining in the race for the title.

"Many games to play, of course it's a big week we cannot deny it. We play Spurs. Many games to play. After Southampton I'm not worried about the titles, it's to recover who we are game by game," Guardiola added.

"This is what we have to do, important games in the season we were there. Just with the hypothetical importance against teams, the other ones we were not there. It's normal after the results of previous seasons. We have to change it immediately."

Guardiola has also acknowledged Man United's improvements this season, with Erik ten Hag's side - sitting fourth in the table - winning all six games since the World Cup break.

"[United have improved] a lot, it's normal, a new manager arrives. The improvement is clear. Not just results," said the Spaniard.

"I have the feeling every time at Old Trafford or the Etihad it's been a difficult game. Always were attractive games, both teams want to try to do the game. A lot of quality players in both sides. Top class managers. Will be a good game."

City could move to within two points of Arsenal at the summit with a win on Saturday, while a win for United would see them move to within one point of their rivals in second. body check tags ::

amp_article__504141 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2023-01-13 15:06:10:
html db last update - 2023-01-13 15:06:10 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html
Read more!

Click here for more stories about John Stones

Click here for more stories about Manchester United

Share this article now:


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Recommended Next on SM
Marcus Rashford's record vs. Manchester City
Glorious Germany dismantle 10-man Scotland in Euro 2024 opener
Newcastle 'to poach' Chelsea winger if Blues beat them to Olise
Manchester City planning Josko Gvardiol move?
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CManchester CityMan City38287396346291
2Arsenal38285591296289
3Liverpool382410486414582
4Aston Villa382081076611568
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs382061274611366
6Chelsea381891177631463
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle381861485622360
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd38186145758-160
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham381410146074-1452
10Crystal Palace381310155758-149
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton381212145562-748
12Bournemouth38139165467-1348
13Fulham38138175561-647
14Wolverhampton WanderersWolves38137185065-1546
15Everton38139164051-1140
16Brentford38109195665-939
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3899204967-1832
RLuton TownLuton3868245285-3326
RBurnley3859244178-3724
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd38372835104-6916
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Man United-linked midfielder 'rejects' contract offer from current club

1

MU

Chelsea suffer release clause issue after Olise agreement?

2

CS

Chelsea, Liverpool, Bayern beaten by Leipzig to £8.6m wonderkid signing

3

CL

Lionel Messi to be joined by Man United player in MLS?

4

LM

One in, one out at Chelsea? Blues 'talking' over big-money deals

5

OI

Barcelona 'step up interest' in Man Utd superstar

6

B'

Ratcliffe makes his mark: Man United confirm much-needed £50m plans

7

RM

Match Analysis: Germany 5-1 Scotland - highlights, man of the match, stats

8

MA

Man United, Arsenal handed Toney boost as Brentford 'slash' asking price

9

MU

Player Ratings: Two Germany 9's and one Scotland 2/10 in Euro 2024 thrashing

10

PR


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .