Manchester City

Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has named Lionel Messi as the best player in the world but omitted five-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo from his list. 

It was announced on Friday that all professional football in England would be suspended until at least April 4 due to the coronavirus, leading Gundogan to conduct a Q&A session on Twitter.

When asked to submit his top three players in the world right now, Gundogan named Messi—who has won the Ballon d'Or six times—ahead of team-mate Kevin De Bruyne and a certain Paris Saint-Germain ace:

1.) Messi
2.) @DeBruyneKev
3.) @KMbappe https://t.co/HBOlcUKvZm

— Ilkay Gündogan (@IlkayGuendogan) March 16, 2020

The inclusion of Kylian Mbappe means Gundogan rates the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner ahead of Neymar, though there's perhaps some bias in his decision to name De Bruyne at No. 2.

Messi, 32, continues to dazzle at Barcelona, and he led La Liga in goals (19) and assists (12) when Spain's top flight decided to suspend all first-team activities in response to the COVID-19 threat.

The Argentinian has scored 24 goals and recorded 16 assists in 31 appearances so far this season. He reminded the world of his class with a four-goal display in Barca's 5-0 win over Eibar in February:

📺 Sit back and enjoy the highlights from this incredible match at the Camp Nou! 🍿#BarçaEibar pic.twitter.com/aXTTh9yGXl

— LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) February 22, 2020

Ronaldo, 35, hasn't been a slouch in his second season with Juventus and has scored 25 times in 32 games—along with four assists—though eight of those have come from the penalty spot.

City's fixture away to Arsenal last week was the first Premier League fixture to be postponed as a result of the coronavirus, and all matches were suspended just a few days later.

CNN reported there have been 182,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of Tuesday morning, which had resulted in "at least 7,100 deaths."

Gundogan made a special mention of those working in the health services during what has been a chaotic time:

I'm staying at home, but it's not really an holiday for me. I hope all of you are well,too. Tough times for each and everyone of us. I just can say thank you to everyone in healthcare: doctors, nurses, hospital staff. Positivity will keep us strong, we will get through this! https://t.co/8mpdcMjJfs

— Ilkay Gündogan (@IlkayGuendogan) March 16, 2020

The Germany international was part of the City squad that won back-to-back Premier League titles in 2018 and 2019. Liverpool were on course to end that run this term and sat 25 points clear of Pep Guardiola's side before the season was suspended.

Gundogan also won two major trophies with Borussia Dortmund and made it to the UEFA Champions League final in 2013, but his best career moment so far remains one of his earliest professional memories:

1.) Signing my first professional contract at @1_fc_nuernberg
2.) Coming back after my long injury in 2014
3.) Winning the @premierleague with @ManCity / Winning the @Bundesliga_DE with @BVB … both on the same level 😉 https://t.co/O60aeLavDV

— Ilkay Gündogan (@IlkayGuendogan) March 16, 2020

The 29-year-old is contracted to City until June 2023, although he could be one candidate for the Etihad Stadium exit if the club is suspended from featuring in next season's Champions League.

Angelino has said that Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was "delighted" by his January loan move to Bundesliga side RB Leipzig. 

The 23-year-old La Voz de Galicia (h/t Naveen Ullal at Sport Witness) that Guardiola spoke to him before he left for Germany and said it was a good move for the Spaniard: "Yes. He said he was going to be delighted, that it was the perfect setting to see me again."

Angelino will spend the rest of the season at the Red Bull Arena. The deal includes a purchase option of €30 million (£25.2 million), per Simon Stone at BBC Sport.

The wing-back has gone on to make eight appearances for Julian Nagelsmann's impressive side who are third in the table in Germany and into the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League.

Scouted Football have been impressed with the youngster's performances:

Angeliño has been such a good pick-up for RB Leipzig so far; really shrewd signing.

His skillset suits this wing-back role, as well as Leipzig as a whole: tenacious with and without the ball, capable of playing directly with speed, and dangerous around the box.

— SCOUTED (@scoutedftbl) March 10, 2020

Angelino first signed for Manchester City in 2012 but has spent the majority of his time away at the club, enjoying loan spells at New York City, Girona, Real Mallorca and NAC Breda.

He was sold to PSV Eindhoven in June 2018 but returned to Manchester City in July 2019 when the Citizens triggered a buy-back clause in his contract.

Angelino made 12 appearances in all competitions for Guardiola's side in 2019-20 but faced a real fight for game time with Benjamin Mendy and Oleksandr Zinchenko also in the squad.

His decision to move has allowed him more regular football and he appears to be flourishing at RB Leipzig, although he has not given up on making the grade at Manchester City, per the report

He added: "I went to Manchester when I was 16, and I got the thorn in my head from not settling down. But I'm still a Citizen and I don’t give up getting a place there."

It remains to be seen if RB Leipzig will look to keep Angelino when his contract expires. Nagelsmann has praised the wing-back but has also said he has a "hefty price tag" which may prove problematic, per Jack Bezants for MailOnline.

Pep Guardiola's tutelage has been the key factor in Raheem Sterling's improvement for Manchester City, according to Wayne Rooney.

Derby County forward Rooney detailed the impact Guardiola has had on Sterling's game during an interview with Jonathan Northcroft of the Sunday Times (h/t Simon Bajkowski of the Manchester Evening News): 

"Raheem's a player who played on instinct, a lot of ability, and you're only seeing the best of him now. He has worked on it himself but it’s because of Pep Guardiola. Guardiola has got him in a mindset to know the game better and you see a massive difference. It’s knowing the right time to do things and Guardiola is the best at teaching that, in my opinion."

Rooney saw the early years of Sterling's career at the top level firsthand when the pair were team-mates for the England national team. Former Manchester United, Everton and D.C. United attacker Rooney retired from the Three Lions in 2017, just about the time Sterling was learning more from Guardiola.

The winger arrived in the blue half of Manchester two years earlier. He had established a reputation at Liverpool as a player with the pace to stretch any defence beyond breaking point.

There was also a decent range to Sterling's movement, and he had proved versatile enough to play anywhere along the front. Guardiola took charge at City in 2016 and quickly began refining some of the rough edges of Sterling's game.

Efficiency in front of goal began to grow, while Sterling also improved the timing of his runs. In the process, he became a key component of the City forward line, the player who most often helped cap passing moves with the decisive touch.

Sterling's goals helped the Citizens win two Premier League titles in a row. City took the crown in 2018 with a record 100 points, while last season's title was part of an unprecedented domestic treble which also included winning the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.

Team honours were joined by individual accolades for Sterling, who was named Young Player of the Year at the PFA awards in 2019:

Who said "too old for this sh*t" 😂😂 ?! #PFAawards pic.twitter.com/APryTSv2ks

— Raheem Sterling (@sterling7) April 28, 2019

While Guardiola deserves a lot of the credit, some praise is also due Mikel Arteta. The Arsenal head coach was on Guardiola's coaching staff until he returned to north London on December 26, but he has been credited with aiding Sterling's development.

Arteta has spoken about fixing the "bad habits" Sterling had learned when it came to controlling the ball, as well as the need to have him drop off markers and create more room to run.

Sterling's improvement in these areas has created a new challenge for Guardiola. He has had to focus his efforts on keeping the player grounded, with the City boss rejecting comparisons between Sterling, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo earlier this season.

Sterling had started the 2019-20 campaign in terrific form, en route to scoring 20 goals in all competitions. However, the 25-year-old hasn't found the net in the Premier League since a 3-2 defeat away to Wolverhampton Wanderers on December 27:

Raheem Sterling has only scored in 3 of 14 Premier League matches since the start of November

With Harry Kane and Marcus Rashford still far from fit, @martinlaurence7 is concerned about Sterling's form heading into #Euro2020 -- https://t.co/4hw42tRqbQ pic.twitter.com/pOnCfTgvoC

— WhoScored (@WhoScored) March 3, 2020

A quiet performance during the 2-0 loss in the derby against Manchester United at Old Trafford was the latest example of how far Sterling's form has deteriorated:

Did Raheem Sterling score against Man Utd?

No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No

20 games. 😳 pic.twitter.com/q966eQsKp3

— Squawka (@Squawka) March 8, 2020

It means there is another test of Guardiola's ability to teach. He's helped Sterling take the next step in his development and become a legitimate superstar.

Now the onus is on Guardiola to help one of his best players emerge from a prolonged slump. Those efforts will be crucial amid reports City want to tie Sterling to a new contract and fend off rumoured interest from Real Madrid.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has backed "incredibly positive" Raheem Sterling to get back to his best following a barren run at the Etihad Stadium since the start of 2020. 

Sterling was arguably City's best player across the first half of their campaign, but he's failed to score a goal since bagging a brace in the 3-2 Premier League loss at Wolverhampton Wanderers on December 27.

The 25-year-old's fitness has also been a concern after he sat out league wins over West Ham United and Leicester City due to a hamstring injury, but Guardiola told reporters he has faith his star will bounce back:

"He's incredibly positive, especially in the fact that when he misses one chance he tries again. He was injured for two or three weeks and sometimes you need a little bit more time, but he's coming back.

"I never was so much worried about these kind of actions, like Ederson last time. It happens.

"These are the guys who suffer the most. When it happens they have been supported and we try to let them feel we are here for them. Sometimes you speak with them and sometimes you leave them free. They are so mature to understand what they have to do."

City goalkeeper Ederson was at fault for both of Manchester United's goals when City lost 2-0 away to their bitter rivals at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Sterling was largely kept quiet by Aaron Wan-Bissaka in City's derby defeat at United. The former was dispossessed six times, successfully completed one of four attempted dribbles and took the third-fewest touches of any City outfielder who started in the defeat, per WhoScored.com.

Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher analysed that head-to-head battle, with Sterling having had just one direct goal involvement in 11 appearances in 2020 (seven starts):

💪 Aaron Wan Bissaka v Raheem Sterling 💪@Carra23 analyses the fascinating battle between the pair in the Manchester Derby

📺 Watch #MNF now live on Sky Sports PL or follow here: https://t.co/0NU4Y64x9x pic.twitter.com/Nj1Y3uct8c

— Sky Sports Retro (@SkySportsRetro) March 9, 2020

His single assist came against Real Madrid in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 encounter, winning the penalty that allowed City to equalise en route to a 2-1 win in Spain (U.S. viewers only):

https://twitter.com/brlive/status/1232785272108191750

The former Liverpool winger has 20 goals in 39 appearances across all competitions this term and looked to be on course for his best scoring season to date, though those hopes are now in doubt. He scored 25 goals in all competitions in 2018-19 and netted 23 times over the course of the previous campaign.

Sterling also started in five of City's six Carabao Cup games during their successful defence of the title this term, including a 90-minute outing in the 2-1 final win over Aston Villa:

Yes sir 🖖🏾 pic.twitter.com/2D0CvMrWo5

— Raheem Sterling (@sterling7) March 1, 2020

Guardiola's side host Burnley on Saturday in their return to the Premier League. Wednesday's match at Arsenal was postponed after the Gunners announced several of their players had recently met with Olympiacos owner Evangelos Marinakis, who has contracted the coronavirus.

The Citizens are close to welcoming back winger Leroy Sane, who could make his first Premier League appearance of the season after recently starting in a 4-2 win against Arsenal's under-23 side.

Pep Guardiola isn't in favour of playing matches behind closed doors in response to the outbreak of the coronavirus. Instead, the Manchester City chief would rather games be postponed while nations respond to the spread of the virus. 

While Guardiola said he and City will follow any recommendations made by the authorities, he also questioned the purpose of playing without supporters, per BBC Sport's Simon Stone: "Does football work without spectators? If the people can't come, there is no sense. We will follow what we have to do, but I wouldn't like to do it without the people."

Footballing authorities from across Europe have been taking measures in response to the coronavirus. Many games in Serie A have been played behind closed doors, a move since adopted by Ligue 1 in France and Spain's La Liga, as well as for games in both the UEFA Champions League and Europa League.

Guardiola is anticipating similar steps will be taken in England's top flight:

"We are conscious of it because it has happened already in Italy. The league is suspended, and in Spain the next two weeks are behind closed doors. It is going to happen here. The tendency rises at the same level as Italy before and in Spain right now.

"The other issue you have to ask is, is it worse to play football without the spectators? We do our job for the people and if the people cannot come to watch us, there is no sense."

More radical measures are being explored throughout Europe. Italy's football federation, the FIGC, is contemplating three separate courses of action, including extending the season.

FIGC president Gabriel Gravina is also ready to discuss the idea of not even crowning a league champion or using a play-off format to determine the title winner, per a statement from the organisation (h/t Goal).

Italy, which is in a countrywide lockdown to help deal with a growing outbreak, has suspended all sport until at least April 3, per MailOnline's Ollie Lewis and the Press Association).

France and Spain are still at the stage of playing matches in empty stadiums. Top-flight games in Spain will be behind closed doors until March 22, according to the Guardian, while the French first and second divisions will keep supporters away until April 15.

Guardiola's reservations about these initiatives are shared by Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Nuno Espirito Santo. He told Sky Sports News games should be postponed instead, starting with Wolves' first-leg tie in the last 16 of the UEFA Europa League away to Olympiacos on Thursday.

Other games across European tournaments have also been impacted:

ℹ️ Following guidance from the Austrian government, we have been informed by UEFA and LASK that our #UEL game on Thursday will be played behind closed doors.#MUFC

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) March 10, 2020

Our @ChampionsLeague game against @ChelseaFC will take place behind closed doors.

All ticket holders will be given a full refund. pic.twitter.com/p9cEZMXHqo

— FC Bayern (@FCBayernEN) March 10, 2020

No such decisions have been taken by the Premier League or UK government yet. It means City may well have fans in attendance for Wednesday's game against Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium.

The visit of the Gunners marks the first of three home games for Guardiola's men, with Burnley to follow on Saturday, before the second leg against Real Madrid in the Champions League on March 17.

Matchday policies will likely remain fluid and uncertain before then, with the outbreak ongoing and over 117,000 people diagnosed globally, per the New York Times.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is unsure if Kevin De Bruyne will be fit to feature against Arsenal on Wednesday. 

The Citizens will host the Gunners at the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League in the fixture that was postponed due to the former's involvement in the Carabao Cup final.

When asked for injury updates, Guardiola said: "[Aymeric] Laporte, Kevin training last two days. I don't know if they will be able to play tomorrow. We'll have another session tomorrow, and the rest will be OK."

As for Leroy Sane, Guardiola said he is "getting better every week." 

"He's training," the coach added. "He's not injured. We are going to decide, but he was ready weeks ago. I have many thoughts [on whether he will play]. All good thoughts."

The German has been out of action since he ruptured his cruciate ligament in the Community Shield against Liverpool back in August, so it's understandable the Sky Blues want to ease him back into action.

City shared a brief look at De Bruyne in training on Monday:

👑 KDB 👑

🏃‍♂️ @DeBruyneKev
🔵 #ManCity pic.twitter.com/kvU0utBjGU

— Manchester City (@ManCity) March 9, 2020

De Bruyne suffered an injury towards the end of the Carabao Cup final after coming off the bench.

As a result, he missed their 1-0 FA Cup win at Sheffield Wednesday and their 2-0 league defeat against Manchester United.

The Belgian is City's chief creative force:

Kevin De Bruyne has created 23 big chances in the PL this season, 10(!), more than any other Man City player.

Significant absentee. 🧙‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/WgN5Q5nuAf

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) March 8, 2020

He has also created more chances from open play (72) in the Premier League than any other player this season.

Kieran Canning of the Agence France-Presse suggested City have become too reliant on him after they lost 2-0 at Old Trafford without him:

City won a treble largely without De Bruyne last season and now seem totally dependant on him

— Kieran Canning (@KieranCanning) March 8, 2020

Guardiola's side also lost 2-0 at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers earlier in the campaign when De Bruyne was missing, but he did feature in their other five league defeats, starting four of them.

Arsenal have won three consecutive Premier League matches for the first time this season following their 1-0 win over West Ham United on Saturday, having improved their form somewhat under Guardiola's former assistant Mikel Arteta.

City have an excellent recent record against the Gunners, though. They've won each of their last six meetings in all competitions, and Arsenal haven't beaten City at the Etihad since January 2015.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has defended his "extraordinary goalkeeper" Ederson after the Brazilian was guilty of two errors that led to goals in Sunday's Premier League defeat to Manchester United.

The Brazilian allowed an Anthony Martial shot to sneak under his body for the opener and then threw the ball straight to midfielder Scott McTominay for the Red Devils' second in stoppage time.

Guardiola spoke about his goalkeeper after the match and praised him despite an unusually poor performance from the 26-year-old, per Stuart Brennan at the Manchester Evening News.

"He is an extraordinary keeper. Next time he is going to be better," he said. "He is an extraordinary player in the build-up, the saves ... sometimes it happens. He saved one or two."

Ederson is widely regarded as one of the Premier League's top goalkeepers. He's an agile shot-stopper and is renowned for his ability with the ball at his feet.

That said, he ought to have kept out Martial's shot for the first goal. The Brazilian got his hand to the ball but could not prevent it from going into the back of the net (UK video only):

What a howler from Ederson! 🙈

Martial gives #MUFC the lead after volleying home Fernandes' clever free-kick, but Ederson should have saved it!

📺 Watch on Sky Sports Premier League
📱 Follow #MUNMCI here: https://t.co/4fE0H2P2zE
📲 Download the @SkySports app! pic.twitter.com/d2MB2vHbQK

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 8, 2020

Ederson almost gave away another goal at the start of the second half. A poor touch offered Martial the chance to score his second, but the goalkeeper just managed to get back and deny the Frenchman.

However, the goalkeeper went on to produce another poor mistake in stoppage time. His quick throw out was intercepted by McTominay, who met the ball and netted with a fine first-time finish:

Ederson: Has committed five errors leading to an opposition goal in the Premier League; two were at Old Trafford today pic.twitter.com/j1HLzizgaQ

— WhoScored (@WhoScored) March 8, 2020

The Manchester United midfielder told Sky Sports after the match that he read what Ederson was going to do:

⚽Scott McTominay will savour that one...pic.twitter.com/O18BhqbX49

— Sky Sports (@SkySports) March 8, 2020

The defeat means Manchester United have completed a league double over Manchester City for the first time since 2010, while the result also condemns Guardiola's men to their seventh league defeat in 2019-20.

Raheem Sterling has said Liverpool can expect a "massive reaction" from Manchester City in the 2020-21 Premier League season.

The Reds are three wins away from clinching their first title in 30 years. Ahead of Sunday's Manchester derby, Liverpool are a 25 points clear of City, albeit the leaders have played two games more.

Speaking ahead of the clash at Old Trafford, Sterling provided an honest assessment of City's form this term in conversation with Sky Sports, saying he expects them to be much improved next season:

"We have been slacking, we haven't kept our standards that we know we can keep to. From now to the end of the season we have to try and win every single game and whatever happens, happens. It's in Liverpool's hands and that's it.

"...We won the league twice in a row. Liverpool are winning, leading at this point in time. But I'm pretty sure that come the end of the season our boys will go away and come back again very hurt if they do pick up the league, and we will be up and running for next season for sure. 

"[It will be] a massive reaction."

In the previous two campaigns, City have been almost flawless. In 2017-18, they accrued a record 100 points on their way to glory, while last season they accumulated 98 points, edging out Liverpool in a pulsating title race.

This term, City have dropped below those levels and allowed a rampant Reds team to pull clear months ago. 

Liverpool are on course to eclipse City's 100-point haul. Squawka Football noted that Jurgen Klopp's side reached another landmark with their 2-1 win over Bournemouth on Saturday:

Liverpool are the first team in English top-flight history to win 22 consecutive home games, breaking their own record.

Welcome to Anfield. pic.twitter.com/QExrsfiwJX

— Squawka (@Squawka) March 7, 2020

B/R Football put the Reds' form into context:

Liverpool (27) have now won more Premier League games this season than Arsenal's Invincibles (26).

Two great sides 🤝 pic.twitter.com/RqFXPG5f8f

— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 7, 2020

Given the standards Liverpool have set this campaign, it will be a big test for City to win back the title.

Pep Guardiola has a lot of exciting players in his squad, but David Silva will depart at the end of the campaign. Like Vincent Kompany in the previous summer, his departure is likely to leave a void of quality and leadership.

Sterling will also need to recapture his form. As Goal highlighted, having started the season in a brilliant groove, he's on a barren run:

"Before January I was at 20 goals, after I haven't scored yet but I'm five goals away from beating my record from last season and so confident I will be able to do it."

Back on form this weekend?

— GOAL News (@GoalNews) March 7, 2020

From City's perspective, Sunday's showdown at Old Trafford would be a fine time for Sterling to rediscover his golden touch.

While any hopes of Premier League glory are gone for City, they will be keen to get one over on their local rivals and prolong their recent good form. Finishing this campaign with positivity will only be beneficial in their quest to recapture the title from Liverpool next season.

Manchester City will reportedly address the futures of Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling following the club's UEFA Champions League last-16 second-leg tie against Real Madrid on March 17.

The Daily Mail's Jack Gaughan described how De Bruyne and Sterling "will be offered an increase in salary to underline their commitment to the Premier League champions."

Both players are still contracted for another three years, but City are keen to secure them long-term while the club continues its appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport against a UEFA-imposed two-year ban from the Champions League.

City have been suspended from participation in the continent's most prestigious club tournament because of financial fair play irregularities.

Keeping De Bruyne and Sterling beyond the length of their current deals would represent a coup for City, particularly amid the ongoing battle with European football's governing body.

The Champions League trophy has proved elusive for City, and missing out on the competition for two years would damage the club's credibility as a burgeoning superpower in the modern game.

Domestic dominance has so far been the cornerstone of City's growing status, with De Bruyne and Sterling lifting two Premier League titles on Pep Guardiola's watch. De Bruyne's creativity has underpinned a free-flowing team, while Sterling's pace, timing and improvement as a finisher have often provided the cutting edge.

City won't make it a hat-trick of titles, despite having a game in hand on Liverpool, with the leaders still 22 points clear. Even so, Guardiola's side has already captured silverware by winning a third-straight Carabao Cup thanks to a 2-1 win over Aston Villa at Wembley.

Success in Europe remains the main goal, though, with City's focus naturally sharpened by UEFA's edict.

De Bruyne's vision and technique helped the Citizens build a 2-1 aggregate lead over Real. The Belgian crossed for Gabriel Jesus to head in City's opener, before tucking away a penalty himself to cap a classy performance in the Spanish capital.

Kevin De Bruyne vs Real Madrid:

68 touches
38/49 passes completed
4 chances created
3/4 dribbles completed
3 shots
2 recoveries
1 assist
1 goal

🌟 pic.twitter.com/Q9AAZ8gwAk

— GOAL (@goal) February 27, 2020

Sterling came off the bench at the Santiago Bernabeu, and the England winger has reportedly emerged as a target for Real. He even told Mario Cortegana of AS how Real "are a fantastic club."

He added: "When you see the white shirt you know exactly what the club stands for, it's massive. But at the same time, I have a contract with City now and I have to respect this. But it's a fantastic club."

Still just 25, Sterling represents not only City's trophy-laden present, but the promise of future glories. Meanwhile, 28-year-old De Bruyne remains the heartbeat of the team and is a player just approaching the peak of his powers.

Retaining both would keep City among Europe's elite, with or without a place in the Champions League.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has said Kevin De Bruyne is "getting better" but remains a doubt for Sunday's Manchester derby at Old Trafford. 

The Belgian playmaker missed City's 1-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup fifth round on Wednesday with a shoulder injury.

Guardiola said at his pre-match press conference that De Bruyne will be back in training before City visit Manchester United, but he could not guarantee he will be fit enough to play:

Pep on if @DeBruyneKev will be fit: "Getting better. Not perfect. We will see."

— Simon Stone (@sistoney67) March 6, 2020

The Spaniard also ruled out the possibility of Leroy Sane playing any part at Old Trafford:

PEP 💬 @LeroySane19 is making big progress but still he’s not 100% fit. He has to be ready and fit.

Every week he is getting better and after I will try to give him minutes to get back ASAP, but for this game, no.

— Manchester City (@ManCity) March 6, 2020

The winger has been sidelined since August, when he suffered a serious knee injury in the Community Shield.

He stepped up his comeback by playing 57 minutes for the under-23s against Arsenal on February 28. Given how long he has been out for, though, it is little surprise Guardiola is not prepared to put him back in first-team action in a derby.

City and United have already met three times this season.

The Red Devils prevailed 2-1 in the reverse league fixture in December, and both sides had a win apiece in their two-legged EFL Cup semi-final in January.

The Sky Blues advanced to the final on aggregate and claimed a third successive triumph in the tournament when they beat Aston Villa at Wembley Stadium on Sunday:

3 League Cups⁰
1 FA Cup
⁰2 Premier Leagues⁰
2 Community Shields

Pep Guardiola delivers another trophy for Man City 🏆 pic.twitter.com/h4nVMmBRT3

— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 1, 2020

City are still in with a chance of winning two other pieces of silverware this term, as they are into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup and lead Real Madrid 2-1 after the first leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 tie.

Guardiola's side effectively have no chance of retaining the Premier League title this term, as they trail leaders Liverpool by 22 points, but that is unlikely to dampen their desire to beat their neighbours on Sunday.