Manchester City Team News: Nico O’Reilly Boost for Manchester Derby

Manchester City have been handed a timely lift before the Manchester derby, with Nico O’Reilly back in contention for Sunday’s Premier League meeting at Old Trafford, while Jeremy Doku remains unavailable.

O’Reilly had been set to start in last weekend’s 1-0 win over Coventry City, only to pull out during the warm-up after suffering a back problem. The issue also ruled him out of the midweek Champions League opener, a 2-0 victory away to Porto, though there had been growing confidence internally that the setback was not serious.

That has now been confirmed by Enzo Maresca, who offered a clear update on the midfielder’s status ahead of one of the biggest fixtures of the domestic calendar. “Nico is 100 per cent available but Jeremy, I think he needs some more days,” the City head coach said on Friday.

O’Reilly return offers midfield decision

O’Reilly’s availability gives Maresca an important selection call in midfield. In his absence against Coventry, summer arrival Enzo Fernandez was drafted in for an unexpected debut, operating alongside fellow new recruit Elliot Anderson. That pairing was part of a reshaped City side and both are now pushing to retain their places.

Much may depend on how Maresca wants to balance control, energy and flexibility in the centre of the pitch. O’Reilly’s ability to perform in multiple roles gives City another tactical option, particularly in a derby where transitions and structure can prove decisive.

Jeremy Doku absence continues

Doku, meanwhile, is still recovering from the calf injury he sustained in the Community Shield defeat against Arsenal in Cardiff last month. There is optimism that his return is not far away, with next Thursday’s Carabao Cup tie at home to Norwich City a possible target. Sunderland then visit before the international break, after which City face a testing run that includes Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain.

Manchester City predicted XI at Old Trafford

In goal, Gianluigi Donnarumma is expected to start, behind a central defensive pairing of Ruben Dias and Marc Guehi. Josko Gvardiol looks likely to continue at left-back, while Matheus Nunes is in contention to keep his place on the right after making his first start of the season in Portugal following an ankle injury.

Further forward, Erling Haaland is set to lead the line. Rayan Cherki should operate behind him, with Antoine Semenyo on the left. On the opposite flank, Phil Foden is pressing to start after coming on for Iliman Ndiaye against Porto, and his record in this fixture, seven goals against Manchester United, adds weight to his case.

Predicted Manchester City XI: Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Guehi, Gvardiol; Fernandez, Anderson; Foden, Cherki, Semenyo; Haaland.