Manchester City welcome Manchester United on Sunday (4:30pm kick-off) as they look to restore their six-point lead at the top of the Premier League.
Title-rivals Liverpool cut the lead to just three points after their win over West Ham but Pep Guardiola's side will be looking to do a domestic double over their neighbours and extend their lead at the summit But they will need to do without Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake who were both forced off in the midweek FA Cup win over Peterborough.
Jack Grealish netted a welcome goal to rubberstamp the win in the capital after Riyad Mahrez expertly found the bottom corner to open the scoring. But for the Blues, it was another below-par display against the Championship strugglers after stumbling to a narrow 1-0 victory against Everton.
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Guardiola's defensive woes have come at a crucial time with Dias out for up to six weeks with a hamstring injury. But when MEN Sport asked readers to put themselves in the manager's shoes and select a line-up, they were left with no other option but to deploy John Stones to fill the void alongside Aymeric Laporte.
Here's the City team fans want to see face United:
Goalkeeper - Ederson
The Brazilian shot-stopper made a rare FA Cup appearance in midweek after injury to Zach Steffen. Back to his bread and butter this weekend, fans are expecting Ederson to make his 27th Premier League appearance of the season.
Defence - Kyle Walker, Aymeric Laporte, John Stones, Joao Cancelo
Dias' injury was a blow to preparations this week but they are yet to foresee the impact of his absence. Joao Cancelo continues as Kyle Walker returns to the starting XI after he made way for Oleksandr Zinchenko with Stones and Laporte, both half-time substitutes in the FA Cup, the two central defenders.
Midfield - Kevin de Bruyne, Rodri, Bernardo Silva
The formidable midfield combination continues after being rested in midweek. Ilkay Gundogan and Fernandinho are replaced while Foden is released from his midfield role to play in the attacking trio.
Attack - Riyad Mahrez, Phil Foden, Raheem Sterling
Despite returning to the scoresheet this week, City fans have found no place in the team for Grealish as he steps up his bid for full fitness after a shin injury. Mahrez has been in sparkling form since his return from the Africa Cup of Nations while Raheem Sterling has enjoyed a purple patch after a slow start to the season.
Without a recognised number nine, City fans have opted for Foden to play in the false-nine position. He will be looking to continue his goalscoring exploits but will need to do something he hasn't done yet in his professional career and that is score against their fierce rivals.
Fans' City XI to play United: Ederson; Walker, Laporte, Stones, Cancelo; De Bruyne, Rodri, Bernardo; Mahrez, Foden, Sterling.
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