Kevin De Bruyne could return this week, according to Pep Guardiola, as he ramps up his training regime following a four-month absence.

De Bruyne has only played 20 minutes for Manchester City this season after limping off in the season opener against Burnley. City welcomes Sheffield United to the Etihad Stadium for the final game of an extraordinarily successful 2023 season, hoping to keep the pressure on Arsenal and Liverpool at the top of the Premier League.

Guardiola believes Erling Haaland will be unavailable to play the Blades, while John Stones left Goodison Park in a protective boot after suffering an ankle injury against Everton. Jeremy Doku is also injured, and City will be hoping to see him soon.

Joe Bray

If Kevin De Bruyne is close to returning, the next two games against Sheffield United and Huddersfield could be an opportunity to ease him back in off the bench. Phil Foden was superb against Everton as number 10, but his chances may be limited now that De Bruyne is back – and Erling Haaland’s return would put Julian Alvarez back into the number 10 spot. So these two games should be used to offer Foden and Alvarez a ‘last’ chance to impress Guardiola at no.10 and no.9.

If Ruben Dias recovers from his sickness, he can replace Manu Akanji at the back, with Josko Gvardiol able to fill in at left-back and Nathan Ake shifting centrally.

In midfield, Matheus Nunes shone against Everton and can go back into the game to maintain his good form. Guardiola can still go strong against Sheffield United while utilizing January to ensure his injured players are not pushed back unnecessarily, with Huddersfield up next and only two additional fixtures in January (provided City reach the FA Cup fourth round without the need for a replay).

Tyrone Marshall

The image of Stones leaving Goodison Park with his foot in a protective boot was yet another setback for City, whose finances are already stretched. At the present, Akanji is the only player who can truly fill that role, thus he could start beside Dias, with Ake ahead of Gvardiol on the left.

Nunes has already performed admirably in his last two appearances and merits the opportunity to try to build some momentum. His style fit the game well on Wednesday, and his ability to dribble and pull players out of the game should help here.

In the final third, there is little room for change. Alvarez and Foden are in fantastic form and combining nicely, Bernardo has been terrific on the left, and Grealish is resuming his form.