Manchester City have struggled with injuries and suspensions this season - but finally fielded as strong a side as they have without Kevin De Bruyne when they beat Manchester United.
It's taken 15 games, but Pep Guardiola finally appears to have settled on his strongest Manchester City side. Without Kevin De Bruyne, at least. At Old Trafford, City outclassed Manchester United without reaching third gear. It's not a surprise that they did so with their best teamsheet of the season.
Kyle Walker returned at right-back, and Josko Gvardiol was selected ahead of Nathan Ake on the left. Gvardiol appears to have overtaken Ake as first-choice at left-back - a theory supported by his selection at Old Trafford. Gvardiol is still raw in a position he rarely played before joining City, but is exciting going forward and has been solid enough defensively. He's adapted to City's inverted defenders system well, arguably providing more from the left than Ake does.
On the opposite flank, Phil Foden has impressed in central areas so far, yet his derby performance was a fine example of a right-winger who had the beating of his full-back throughout and stuck to the gameplan that involved stretching the makeshift United defence as wide as possible. It's a similar role that Bernardo played so well en route to the treble last season.
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