Pep Guardiola sees key player ruled out for Manchester derby at Old Trafford

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 21: Manuel Akanji of Manchester City is consoled by Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, and Nathan Ake after receiving a red card during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Brighton & Hove Albion at Etihad Stadium on October 21, 2023 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)

Manchester City will be without Manuel Akanji when they make the short trip over to Old Trafford next Sunday.

The defender saw red in the closing stages of City’s Premier League clash vs Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday afternoon, after receiving a second yellow card for a foul on Ansu Fati in the fifth minute of injury time.

Consequently, Akanji will be suspended for the highly-anticipated derby at Old Trafford, where the two rivals will lock horns for the first time this season. He has started seven league games so far this term and a total of nine in all competitions, so Pep Guardiola will be planning how to navigate the absence of the Swiss international.

United without numerous key players

For United, they will be without long-term absentees Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Lisandro Martinez, but should be granted the return of Casemiro.

They must tackle their midweek Champions League outing vs Copenhagen first though, whom they face on Tuesday evening at home in search of their first win in the competition.