Manchester United’s super subs have given Jose Mourinho another headache ahead of Sunday’s derby – and Juan Mata’s stunning free-kick in Turin could earn him a recall at the Etihad.
Mourinho may also be sorely tempted to start Marouane Fellaini after hailing the Belgian’s game-changing qualities in Wednesday’s 2-1 win against Juventus; but knowing he’s on the bench will provide United with options should they require yet another rescue act.
Mata has been in outstanding form as United have produced something of a resurgence in recent weeks, and his absence from the midweek Champions League clash felt like a case of Mourinho resting him for Manchester City.
Even then, United needed the Spaniard to spark their fightback as he curled in an 86th-minute free-kick to cancel out Cristiano Ronaldo’s opener. Alex Sandro put through his own net at the death, with Fellaini causing havoc as Juve tried to deal with Ashley Young’s free-kick.
Ander Herrera is likely to keep his place after being rewarded for his outstanding cameo in United’s 2-1 win against Bournemouth last weekend.
Who to play at the point of United’s attack remains a dilemma for Mourinho, with neither Alexis Sanchez nor Marcus Rashford proving entirely convincing when deputising for Romelu Lukaku.
Should Lukaku be declared fit after a hamstring problem, he could be immediately recalled to give United a focal point they have lacked in his absence.
Guardiola has his own considerations up front after Gabriel Jesus struck a hat-trick in the 6-0 Champions League win against Shakhtar Donetsk.
It will be a tough call to drop the Brazilian back to the bench – but an even tougher one to leave Sergio Aguero out.
Guardiola believes the Argentine is playing the best football of his career, and the striker was outstanding in City’s 6-1 win against Southampton last weekend.
With Kevin de Bruyne injured, Bernardo is set to start alongside David Silva.
The only other dilemma for Guardiola is likely to be who to play out of Riyad Mahrez and Leroy Sane.
There are still questions over whether Sane is at his most effective when playing ahead of Benjamin Mendy.
Mahrez, meanwhile, staked a claim to start by scoring against Shakhtar on Wednesday.
Possible line ups
Man City XI: Ederson; Walker, Stones, Laporte, Mendy; Fernandinho, Bernardo, Silva; Sterling, Sane, Aguero
Man United XI: De Gea; Young, Smalling, Lindelof, Shaw; Matic, Herrera, Pogba; Mata, Martial, Sanchez
