Manchester Derby Possible Lineup Without Suspended Sergio Aguero

In the moments immediately after learning his best player was to be suspended for one of the most important matches in Manchester City's season, Pep Guardiola appeared remarkably calm. “If it happens, we accept and adapt,” Guardiola said, when asked in his post-match press conference how City planned to cope in the Manchester derby without Sergio Aguero. “If we lose him, we lose him. We are still going to play with 11.” A few days later, and it was announced that — despite an appeal — City would indeed be losing Sergio Aguero, with the Football Association finding the Argentinian guilty of violent conduct, for elbowing West Ham defender Winston Reid. So how will Guardiola fare without his first-choice striker, who has already scored three goals this season, and who will come into the starting XI to replace him?

Pep may also decide to use his false 9 tactics of which he was famous for by replacing Lewandoski with Mario Gotze in his time in bayern. This time he might consider using Sterling in that position. But if there is a need for a direct replacement for the suspended Argentinian, the young Kelechi ihenachor will be called into action. The inform 19year old  scored 8goals last season and has his confidence really high with his long range strike in the recent Afcon Qualifiers.

Guardiola also has the option of moving the left-winger Nolito into an advanced position, which would then free up space on the flank for £37.5million summer signing Leroy Sané to make his debut. But, with the winger just 20-years old, Guardiola may well want to wait for a less volatile match to field him for the first time.

Whichever line-up Guardiola settles on for his maiden Manchester derby, he at least knows that his counterpart, Jose Mourinho has a selection dilemma of his own.

Luke Shaw and Henrikh Mkhitaryan were both injured on international duty for England and Armenia respectively, and Mourinho will not learn until later on in the week whether they are fit enough to start the match. There was also a question mark hanging over the head of midfielder Marouane Fellaini, who hurt his back during the club's 1-0 win against Hull City, although the Belgian has recovered quicker than first expected.