Pep Guardiola admits he could name a surprise Manchester City side for Sunday’s huge showdown with rivals Manchester United.
The Premier League champions host Ruben Amorim’s side at the Etihad Stadium amid a nightmare run for Guardiola, a set of results unprecedented in his career.
City’s 2-0 loss to Juventus in the Champions League on Wednesday night means they have won just once in ten games ahead of Sunday’s meeting, leaving them eight points behind League leaders Liverpool who also boast a game in hand.
Guardiola will be without a number of key defenders for the visit of Amorim, who recorded a statement 4-1 Champions League victory over the City boss during the final days of his Sporting CP tenure last month.
Rico Lewis is suspended following the red card he was shown during last weekend’s 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace for two bookable offences, while John Stones, Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake are all injured.
Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol offer experienced options but Guardiola admits he will have to tinker with team selection, perhaps playing players out of position.
“I don’t know what I have to do,” he said.
“Maybe some wingers will have to play as a full-back or maybe Matheus [Nunes] can play as a full-back or maybe play five in the back with wing-backs as wingers. I don’t know. I’m thinking still a little bit.
“But the soul and sprit of the team is there. I’m sad for the players because the way they run and fight with the circumstances.”
