Guardiola rules out City defender for derby

As well as previewing the highly anticipated fixture, the 188th competitive meeting between the two clubs, Guardiola spoke about his squad and confirmed that John Stones, who was injured while on England duty in the recent international break, would miss the United clash.

“It will not be four, five or six weeks, it will be less,” said the Spaniard, when asked about the length of Stones's absence.

“I don’t know when he will come back, but I think in maybe 10 days to two weeks.”

Another absentee for our hosts is England midfielder Kalvin Phillips, who has missed the beginning of the season with a persistent shoulder issue.

“His mobility is getting better,” said Guardiola. “He took the right decision [to have surgery], otherwise he couldn’t move forward. Every training session, it would go out.

"Hopefully, this will solve the problem and hopefully he is ready and can come back in time for the World Cup and after the World Cup, come back with us."

One player who could return for our rivals on Sunday is centre-back Aymeric Laporte, after the Frenchman recently resumed training with his team-mates.

“He was a long time injured,” said Pep. “We are seeing in the training that he is moving well and his ability with the pass is exceptional.

“It’s important to come back in this crazy schedule like everybody has.”

You can read Ten Hag's update on the United squad in our separate story and watch his press conference here.