According to Pep Guardiola, Kevin De Bruyne might return this week as he speeds up his training regime after a four-month layoff.

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

Guardiola feels Erling Haaland will be unable to play against the Blades, while John Stones left Goodison Park in a protective boot after injuring his ankle against Everton. Jeremy Doku is also out with an injury, but City will be expecting to see him shortly.

Joe Bray

If Kevin De Bruyne is close to returning, the next two games against Sheffield United and Huddersfield might be used to ease him back in. Phil Foden was excellent as the number 10 against Everton, but his opportunities may be restricted now that De Bruyne is back – and Erling Haaland’s return would place Julian Alvarez back in the number 10 spot. As a result, these two games should be used to give Foden and Alvarez a ‘final’ chance to impress Guardiola at positions 10 and 9.

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

Matheus Nunes shined in midfield against Everton and can return to the game to keep his form going. Guardiola can still go strong against Sheffield United while exploiting January to ensure that his injured players are not pushed back unduly, with Huddersfield up next and only two extra fixtures in January (assuming City reach the FA Cup fourth round without needing a replay).

Tyrone Marshall

Stones leaving Goodison Park with his foot in a protective boot was another setback for City, whose funds are already tight. Akanji is currently the only player who can properly fill that role, thus he could start beside Dias, with Ake ahead of Gvardiol on the left.

Nunes has already played brilliantly in his previous two games and deserves the chance to create some momentum. On Wednesday, his style fit the game nicely, and his ability to dribble and drag players out of the game could assist here.

There is minimal room for improvement in the final third. Alvarez and Foden are in excellent form and combining well, Bernardo has been excellent on the left, and Grealish is rediscovering his form.